# dark

> English word · Adjective · IPA /dɑːk/ · frequency rank #966

## Definitions
1. Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.
2. Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.
3. Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.
4. Transmitting, reflecting, or receiving inadequate light to render timely discernment or comprehension
5. Dull or deeper in hue; not bright or light.
6. Ambiguously or unclearly expressed.
7. Marked by or conducted with secrecy.
8. Marked by or conducted with secrecy.
9. Without moral or spiritual light; sinister, malevolent, malign.
10. Conducive to hopelessness; depressing or bleak.
11. Lacking progress in science or the arts.
12. Extremely sad, depressing, or somber, typically due to, or marked by, a tragic or undesirable event.
13. With emphasis placed on the unpleasant and macabre aspects of life; said of a work of fiction, a work of nonfiction presented in narrative form, or a portion of either.
14. Off the air; not transmitting.

## Etymology
From Middle English derk, from Old English deorc, from Proto-West Germanic *derk (“dark”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰerg- (“dim, dull”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰer- (“dull, dirty”).

## Easily confused with
- **Dr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dr)
- **day** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-day)
- **dry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dry)
- **der** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-der)
- **das** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-das)
- **dat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dat)
- **Dre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dre)
- **DAW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-daw)
- **Dax** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dax)
- **DRC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-drc)
- **DRM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-drm)
- **dor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dor)
- **DDR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-ddr)
- **DNR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dnr)
- **dur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dur)
- **DRI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dri)
- **Dru** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-dru)
- **days** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-days)
- **data** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-data)
- **date** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dark-vs-date)

## Common misspellings (6)
`adrk`, `dakr`, `darkk`, `darrk`, `ddark`, `drak`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dark