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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Darkness Definition: Examples and Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：absence of light (darkness)

darkness 🔊

/ˈdɑːrknɪs/

when there is little or no light, making it hard to see things.

absence of light 🔊

➕

/ˈæbsəns əv laɪt/

The state or condition of being without light, resulting in very low or no visibility.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'deorc' (dark) + '-ness' (state, condition).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'dark' + 'ness' = state of no light; picture a room with the lights off.

📖 Example

When the power went out, the whole house was plunged into complete darkness. 🔊 When the power went out, the whole house was plunged into complete darkness.

🔗 Collocations

pitch darkness – total darkness with no light at all

complete darkness – a state where there is no light whatsoever

darkness falls – night arrives or the light disappears

🔄 Synonyms

gloom (n.) – partial or total darkness, often with a somber feeling

obscurity (n.) – the state of being unknown or hard to see due to lack of light

dimness (n.) – lack of brightness or clarity in light

🚫 Antonyms

light (n.) – natural or artificial brightness that allows visibility

brightness (n.) – the quality of being full of light or shining

illumination (n.) – the act of providing or being in light

🌱 Derivatives

darken (v.) – to make or become dark or darker

darkly (adv.) – in a dark or mysterious way

darkish (adj.) – somewhat dark in color or tone

📖 Cultural Story

Old English 'þeostru' and 'deorc' originally denoted absence of light; metaphorically used in religious texts for ignorance or evil since the 9th century.

Meaning 2：state of sadness or evil (darkness)

darkness 🔊

/ˈdɑːrknɪs/

a feeling of great sadness, evil, or a period of very bad situation.

Darkness representing sadness with a person on a bench at dusk

state of sadness or evil 🔊

➕

/steɪt əv ˈsædnəs ɔːr ˈiːvəl/

A period or feeling of great sorrow, hopelessness, or moral wickedness, often described metaphorically as a lack of 'light'.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After losing his job, he went through a period of deep emotional darkness, but his friends helped him find hope again. 🔊 After losing his job, he went through a period of deep emotional darkness, but his friends helped him find hope again.

🔗 Collocations

emotional darkness – a state of deep sadness or depression

darkness of the soul – a profound sense of despair or moral corruption

darkness of the times – a period of widespread hardship or evil

🔄 Synonyms

despair (n.) – complete loss of hope or confidence

hopelessness (n.) – a feeling that nothing good can happen

gloom (n.) – a state of depression or dark mood

🚫 Antonyms

hope (n.) – a feeling of expectation and desire for a positive outcome

joy (n.) – a feeling of great pleasure and happiness

light (n.) – metaphorically, goodness, happiness, or knowledge

🌱 Derivatives

darken (v.) – to become emotionally gloomy or sinister

darkly (adv.) – in a threatening or ominous manner

darkish (adj.) – somewhat morally ambiguous or shadowy