darken
darken — verb
1. If the sky or a room darkens, it becomes dark as the sun goes down, a storm arri
If the sky or a room darkens, it becomes dark as the sun goes down, a storm arrives, or the light fades away.
The sky began to darken as the storm moved closer to the village.
pattern: sky + begin + to darken
We hurried home when we saw the evening sky darken behind the hills.
The room darkened suddenly after the librarian pulled the heavy curtains shut.
The sky outside the window began to darken while the children were still playing in the park.
- brighten
the direct opposite; used for both sky and rooms
文法句型
subject (the sky, a room) + darken
用法筆記
The subject is usually the sky, the evening, or an indoor space. This sense is less common in everyday speech than 'get dark' — use 'darken' for more formal or descriptive writing.
2. When a colour or surface darkens, it changes to a shade that is deeper, closer t
When a colour or surface darkens, it changes to a shade that is deeper, closer to black, or less bright than before.
The oak wood darkens naturally over time if it is not treated with a sealant.
pattern: material + darken + over time
Liang watched the paint darken as it dried on the old wooden fence.
His leather jacket had darkened in places from years of wear and rain.
The leaves of the maple tree darken to a deep red by the middle of autumn.
- deepen
more literary; often used for the intensity of a colour
- grow darker
more conversational; longer but more natural in speech
- lighten
direct opposite; becoming brighter or paler in colour
文法句型
subject (material, colour, surface) + darken
用法筆記
Common with natural materials (wood, leather, metal) and paints. Use 'fade' for the opposite direction (lighter, not darker).
3. To turn off the lights, close the curtains, or block the light so that a room or
To turn off the lights, close the curtains, or block the light so that a room or building becomes dark.
Eleni darkened the bedroom so the baby could sleep without any light.
pattern: darken + room + so + [purpose]
The stage crew darkened the theatre before the opening scene began.
Brandon darkened the room by covering the windows with thick black fabric.
The nurse darkened the patient's room so he could rest more comfortably.
- dim
less extreme; reduces light but doesn't eliminate it completely
- light up
to make a space bright; opposite of darkening a room
文法句型
darken + object (room, building)
用法筆記
This sense is deliberately transitive — someone actively makes a space dark. In everyday conversation, 'turn off the lights' or 'close the curtains' is more common than 'darken the room'.
常見錯誤
4. To add a darker shade to something or to change its colour so that it becomes le
To add a darker shade to something or to change its colour so that it becomes less bright and more like a deep tone.
Ritu darkened the blue paint by mixing in a small amount of black.
pattern: darken + [colour] + by mixing + [substance]
The artist darkened the shadows under the tree with a soft charcoal pencil.
Amira darkened her eyebrows with a special cream before the ceremony began.
Pim darkened the background of the drawing by adding more ink around the edges.
- lighten
to make a colour paler or less intense
文法句型
darken + object (paint, wood, eyebrows, surface)
用法筆記
Often used in art, cosmetics, and DIY contexts. The object is the thing whose colour is being changed, not the colour itself.
常見錯誤
5. If someone's mood, expression, or the atmosphere of a situation darkens, it beco
If someone's mood, expression, or the atmosphere of a situation darkens, it becomes more serious, sad, unhappy, or threatening.
Carlos's mood darkened when he heard the news about the cancelled flights.
pattern: mood + darken + when + [trigger]
The atmosphere in the office darkened after the manager announced the budget cuts.
Zayd's expression darkened as he read the letter from the hospital.
Heloísa's face darkened when she realised she had lost her wallet somewhere on the train.
- cloud over
more informal; often used for someone's face or mood
- turn sour
informal; specifically for situations or relationships
文法句型
subject (mood, atmosphere, expression, situation) + darken
用法筆記
The subject is always an abstract noun — mood, face, expression, atmosphere, tone. A concrete object like 'table' or 'garden' would not fit this sense.
6. To make an event, mood, or atmosphere less happy, more serious, or more worrying
To make an event, mood, or atmosphere less happy, more serious, or more worrying than it was before.
The constant rain darkened the mood of the campers during their holiday.
pattern: [event] + darken + mood of + [group]
The argument darkened the family gathering that had started so cheerfully.
News of the accident darkened the whole town's celebration that evening.
The teacher's harsh words darkened the joyful atmosphere of the classroom in seconds.
- cast a shadow over
similar meaning but more idiomatic and common in speech
- dampen
milder; reduces enjoyment rather than creating serious worry
- lift
used with 'mood' or 'spirits'; to make them happier again
文法句型
darken + object (mood, occasion, celebration, atmosphere)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 is intransitive (the mood itself darkens), while sense 6 is transitive (something darkens the mood). The transitive structure is more formal and literary.
7. To spoil the good opinion that people have of someone or something, especially t
To spoil the good opinion that people have of someone or something, especially through bad actions, scandal, or negative news.
The scandal darkened the reputation of a company that had been trusted for decades.
pattern: scandal + darken + reputation of + [entity]
Lies spread online can quickly darken a person's name beyond repair.
Sana refused to let a single mistake darken her career after years of hard work.
The politician's dishonest actions darkened the image of the entire government in the public eye.
- restore
to bring back a good reputation after it has been damaged
文法句型
darken + object (reputation, name, character, image)
用法筆記
This is a formal, literary sense. In everyday English, speakers are far more likely to use 'damage', 'ruin', or 'tarnish' with 'reputation'. 'Darken' in this sense carries a slightly old-fashioned or serious tone.