Meaning & Definition of word "Darken"

Darken

/ˈdɑːrkən/

verb:

  • 1. To make or become dark or darker.
    • Example: The clouds began to darken as a storm approached.
  • 2. To obscure or conceal from view.
    • Example: The thick forest will darken the path ahead.
  • 3. To make less happy or cheerful.
    • Example: The news of the accident darkened our spirits.
  • 4. To change to a darker color.
    • Example: She decided to darken her hair for the winter.

Etymology

Middle English 'darkenen', from 'dark' + '-en' (verb-forming suffix).

Common Phrases and Expressions

darken someone's mood:

to make someone feel sad or gloomy.

darken the door:

to enter a place, often implying a sense of foreboding.

darken the sky:

to cause the sky to lose light, often due to approaching weather.

Related Words

dark:

having little or no light.

darkness:

the absence of light.

dimming:

making something less bright.

Slang Meanings of darken

Meaning: to mess up or ruin a situation

Example Sentence: He really darkened the vibe at the party with his bad attitude.

Meaning: to make something more intense or serious

Example Sentence: They darkened the storyline in the sequel to make it more engaging.