Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dark

/dɑɹk/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.04 in modern English

Syllables
dark
IPA
/dɑɹk/
9
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.

adj

Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.

adj

Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.

adj

Dull or deeper in hue; not bright or light.

adj

Marked by or conducted with secrecy.

adj

Marked by or conducted with secrecy.

Example Sentences

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”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /dɑɹk/
  • British English: /dɑːk/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Homonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce dark?
The recorded pronunciation is /dɑɹk/.
What does dark mean?
Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.
Where does dark come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce dark

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “dark”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɑɹk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “dark”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “dark” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.