darkness

[dahrk-nis]

noun

1. the state or quality of being dark.

   The room was in total darkness.

2. absence or deficiency of light.

   the darkness of night.

3. wickedness or evil.

   Satan, the prince of darkness.

4. obscurity; concealment.

   The darkness of the metaphor destroyed its effectiveness.

5. lack of knowledge or enlightenment.

   heathen darkness.

6. lack of sight; blindness.

Other Word Forms

• predarkness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkness¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English derknesse, Old English deorcnysse; equivalent to dark + -ness

Example Sentences

Millar: We’ve had moments of real darkness this season; we just need to have an episode where the audience is going to have the best time and it be a great ride.

From Los Angeles Times

“Reading ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ was like being shown a path in the darkness.

From Los Angeles Times

“So I always try to balance the darkness with hopefully some light and joy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Jack Butland, a Rangers beacon amid the darkness, spoke on Friday, the goalkeeper given the hospital pass of a media conference.

From BBC

There is plenty of cold-hearted, merciless darkness, compulsive behavior and, of course, ill-fated love of all kinds.

From Salon

Related Words

• bleakness www.thesaurus.com
• despair 
• despondency 
• dysphoria 
• gloom 
• grimness www.thesaurus.com
• melancholy 
• morbidity 
• negativity www.thesaurus.com