How Do You Spell DARKEN?

Pronunciation: [dˈɑːkən] (IPA)

The word "darken" is spelled with six letters: D-A-R-K-E-N. The IPA phonetic transcription for "darken" is /dɑːkən/. The "d" sound at the beginning is pronounced with the tongue touching the gum ridge behind the upper front teeth. The first syllable "dar" is pronounced with a long "a" sound and the "r" is pronounced with a slight roll of the tongue. The second syllable "ken" ends with a short "e" sound and the "n" is pronounced with the tongue touching the gum ridge behind the upper front teeth again.

DARKEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Darken is a verb that refers to the action of making something become darker or less bright. It is commonly used to describe the alteration of both physical and metaphorical aspects. In the literal sense, darken pertains to reducing the amount of light in a particular space or making a specific object lose its brightness. This can be achieved by shielding light sources, closing curtains, or creating shadows. The process of darkening is often associated with a decrease in visibility or the intensification of shadows, resulting in a dim or gloomy appearance.

    Metaphorically, darken can be used to describe a change in mood or atmosphere, indicating a negative or foreboding turn of events. For instance, a person's expression might darken with anger, implying that their emotional state has shifted to a more negative one. Additionally, darken can describe the process of a situation becoming more dismal, threatening, or apocalyptic. This can involve the worsening of circumstances, the increase in complexity or severity of a problem, or the overall decline of a situation.

    Overall, the verb darken encapsulates the action of reducing light, diminishing brightness, or intensifying shadows both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It denotes a process that can occur physically and emotionally, resulting in a dimming, intensifying, or worsening effect.

  2. To deprive of light; to obscure; to render gloomy; to render ignorant or stupid; to render less white; to tan; to grow dark.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for DARKEN

Etymology of DARKEN

The word "darken" derives from the Middle English word "derken", which dates back to the 14th century. It can be traced further to the Old English word "deorcian", meaning "to become dark" or "to hide". This Old English term is related to the Proto-Germanic word "derkaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*derk-", both having the same meaning of darkness or obscurity.

Idioms with the word DARKEN

  • not darken sb's door The idiom "not darken someone's door" means to intentionally avoid or never visit someone's house or place of residence. It implies a deliberate avoidance or refusal to have any contact or interaction with the person in question, possibly due to a grudge, conflict, or animosity.
  • darken sm's door The idiom "darken someone's door" means to visit or enter someone's house in an unwelcome or burdensome manner. It implies that the person or their presence brings negativity, trouble, or undesirable circumstances to the household.
  • darken door The idiom "darken door" means to enter or visit a place, usually implying that the person rarely or never goes there.
  • not darken someone's door The idiom "not darken someone's door" means to refuse to visit or enter someone's place or home. It implies a deliberate avoidance or unwillingness to have any kind of contact or relationship with the person.
  • not/never darken somebody's door again The idiom "not/never darken somebody's door again" means to refuse to visit or enter someone's home, or to intentionally avoid having any further contact or interaction with them. It implies a complete break in a relationship or a person being unwelcome or unwanted in someone's life.
  • darken a church door The idiom "darken a church door" refers to someone rarely or never attending church or any religious gathering. It implies that the person rarely enters or visits a church, symbolizing their lack of religious involvement or faith.
  • darken (one's) door The idiom "darken (one's) door" is used to describe someone's undesirable or unwelcome arrival or presence at a place or situation. It conveys a negative connotation, suggesting that the person's presence brings trouble, sadness, or problems to that particular place.
  • darken someone's door The idiom "darken someone's door" means to visit or come to someone's house, usually with a negative connotation implying that one is unwelcome or burdening the person being visited.
  • not darken somewhere's door The idiom "not darken somewhere's door" means that a person is not welcome or allowed to enter a particular place, typically due to previous misconduct or undesirable behavior. It implies that the person is completely excluded or prohibited from entering.
  • not darken somewhere's doorstep The idiom "not darken somewhere's doorstep" means to never visit or never go to a particular place. It implies a deliberate avoidance or refusal to visit that place.
  • never darken (one's) doorstep again The idiom "never darken (one's) doorstep again" means that someone is not welcome at a particular place or in someone's life anymore. It suggests that the person is no longer wanted and should not return.
  • never darken (one's) doorway again The idiom "never darken (one's) doorway again" means to strongly reject or prohibit someone from ever entering one's house or presence again. It conveys a sense of extreme displeasure or anger towards the person and is often used as a threat or as a way to sever all ties and cut off any further interaction.
  • never darken your door again The idiom "never darken your door again" is an expression used to convey a strong desire for someone to stay away and never return to a particular place or person's life. It implies that the speaker wishes to have no further contact or interaction with the individual and wants them to keep a significant distance in the future.
  • never darken (one's) door again The idiom "never darken (one's) door again" is used to convey the speaker's strong desire or command for someone to never come back or visit again. It implies that the person's presence is unwelcome and undesirable, hence the request for them to avoid ever returning.
  • never darken someone's door (or doorstep) The idiom "never darken someone's door (or doorstep)" means to never visit or come to someone's place, typically said in a negative or threatening manner. It implies that the person is not welcome and should stay away from the place.
  • never darken door again The idiom "never darken door again" means that someone vows not to visit a specific place or establishment or have any further contact with someone ever again. It implies a strong level of avoidance or a decision to cut off all relationship or association.
  • never darken my door again The idiom "never darken my door again" is an expression used to firmly and categorically tell someone to never visit or come to one's home again. It implies a strong desire to cut ties or sever a relationship completely.
  • never darken someone's door The idiom "never darken someone's door" means to never visit or enter someone's home or premises, usually conveying the idea of being unwelcome or unwanted. It suggests that the person being referred to is not welcome to return or is not deserving of any hospitality.
  • never darken someone's doorstep The idiom "never darken someone's doorstep" means to purposely avoid visiting or contacting someone, typically due to anger, resentment, or disdain. It suggests a strong aversion or desire to keep a distance from that particular person.
  • not/never darken somebody’s ˌdoor aˈgain

Similar spelling words for DARKEN

Conjugate verb Darken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have darkened
you would have darkened
he/she/it would have darkened
we would have darkened
they would have darkened
I would have darken
you would have darken
he/she/it would have darken
we would have darken
they would have darken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been darkening
you would have been darkening
he/she/it would have been darkening
we would have been darkening
they would have been darkening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would darken
you would darken
he/she/it would darken
we would darken
they would darken

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be darkening
you would be darkening
he/she/it would be darkening
we would be darkening
they would be darkening

FUTURE

I will darken
you will darken
he/she/it will darken
we will darken
they will darken

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be darkening
you will be darkening
he/she/it will be darkening
we will be darkening
they will be darkening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have darkened
you will have darkened
he/she/it will have darkened
we will have darkened
they will have darkened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been darkening
you will have been darkening
he/she/it will have been darkening
we will have been darkening
they will have been darkening

IMPERATIVE

you darken
we let´s darken

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to darken

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was darkening
you were darkening
he/she/it was darkening
we were darkening
they were darkening

PAST PARTICIPLE

darkened

PAST PERFECT

I had darkened
you had darkened
he/she/it had darkened
we had darkened
they had darkened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been darkening
you had been darkening
he/she/it had been darkening
we had been darkening
they had been darkening

PRESENT

I darken
you darken
he/she/it darkens
we darken
they darken

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am darkening
you are darkening
he/she/it is darkening
we are darkening
they are darkening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

darkening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have darkened
you have darkened
he/she/it has darkened
we have darkened
they have darkened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been darkening
you have been darkening
he/she/it has been darkening
we have been darkening
they have been darkening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it darken

SIMPLE PAST

I darkened
you darkened
he/she/it darkened
we darkened
they darkened

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