Top 34 Slang For Dark – Meaning & Usage

Darkness has always held a mysterious allure, and over time, a variety of slang terms have emerged to describe this enigmatic concept. From the eerie depths of the night to the shadowy corners of our minds, we’ve compiled a list of the top slang words and phrases that capture the essence of darkness. Whether you’re a lover of all things spooky or simply curious about the linguistic nuances surrounding this theme, join us as we shed light on the darker side of language and explore the intriguing world of “slang for dark”.

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Blacked out

When someone is “blacked out,” it means they are completely unconscious or unaware of their surroundings. This term is often used to describe someone who has consumed excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs and has lost consciousness.

For example, “He drank so much at the party that he ended up blacking out and doesn’t remember anything.”
A person might say, “I can’t believe I blacked out last night, I need to be more careful with my drinking.”
In a discussion about partying, someone might mention, “I’ve never blacked out before, but I’ve seen others do it.”

2. Pitch black

When something is described as “pitch black,” it means it is completely dark, without any light or visibility. This term is often used to describe nighttime or places with no light source.

For instance, “I couldn’t see anything because it was pitch black outside.”
A person might say, “I was scared walking through the pitch black forest.”
In a discussion about horror movies, someone might mention, “The scene in the haunted house was so intense, it was pitch black and I couldn’t see anything.”

3. Gloomy

When something is described as “gloomy,” it means it is dark, depressing, or melancholy. This term is often used to describe the atmosphere or mood of a place or situation.

For example, “The weather was gloomy with dark clouds and constant rain.”
A person might say, “I felt gloomy after receiving the bad news.”
In a discussion about a sad movie, someone might mention, “The film had a gloomy ending that left me feeling emotional.”

4. Shadowy

When something is described as “shadowy,” it means it is mysterious, obscure, or lacking in clarity. This term is often used to describe a person, place, or situation that is not well-known or understood.

For instance, “He saw a shadowy figure lurking in the alley.”
A person might say, “The room was dimly lit, making everything look shadowy.”
In a discussion about conspiracy theories, someone might mention, “There are shadowy organizations pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

5. Dim

When something is described as “dim,” it means it has low light or is faint. This term is often used to describe the lighting or visibility of a place or object.

For example, “The room was dimly lit with only a few candles.”
A person might say, “I couldn’t read the sign because the streetlight was too dim.”
In a discussion about a romantic setting, someone might mention, “The restaurant had dim lighting, creating a cozy atmosphere.”

6. Dusky

This term is used to describe something that is partially dark or dimly lit. It can also refer to a person’s complexion that is darker than fair but lighter than dark.

For example, “The dusky alley was filled with mysterious figures.”
A description of a painting might include, “The artist used dusky colors to create a sense of depth and mystery.”
When talking about someone’s appearance, one might say, “Her dusky complexion added to her exotic beauty.”

7. Murky

This word is often used to describe something that is dark and difficult to see through, either literally or metaphorically. It can also refer to something that is unclear or ambiguous.

For instance, “The murky water made it difficult to see what was swimming beneath.”
A person might describe a situation as, “The details of the deal are still murky.”
When discussing someone’s motives, one might say, “His intentions are murky at best.”

8. Shady

This slang term is used to describe something or someone that is questionable, suspicious, or untrustworthy. It can also refer to a place that is dark or lacking in light.

For example, “I wouldn’t trust that shady character hanging around the corner.”
A person might say, “The neighborhood gets pretty shady after dark.”
When discussing a questionable business practice, one might say, “That seems like a shady way to make money.”

9. Ebony

This term is used to describe a color that is very dark, specifically a deep and lustrous black. It can also refer to a type of wood that is black or dark brown in color.

For instance, “She wore a stunning ebony gown to the gala.”
A description of a piano might include, “The instrument had an ebony finish.”
When discussing someone’s hair color, one might say, “Her hair is a beautiful shade of ebony.”

10. Midnight

This word is used to describe the time in the middle of the night, specifically the exact moment when the clock strikes 12. It can also refer to a very dark shade of blue or black.

For example, “They snuck out at midnight to go on an adventure.”
A person might say, “I love taking walks under the midnight sky.”
When discussing the color of a dress, one might say, “She looked stunning in her midnight blue gown.”

11. Nocturnal

This term refers to something or someone that is active or operates during the night. It is often used to describe animals or people who prefer to be awake and active at night.

For example, “Owls are nocturnal creatures, hunting for prey under the cover of darkness.”
A person who stays up late and sleeps during the day might say, “I’ve always been more nocturnal than diurnal.”
A night shift worker might say, “Working nocturnal hours can be challenging, but I’ve gotten used to it.”

12. Obsidian

Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass that is usually dark in color, often black. It is formed when lava cools rapidly without crystal growth. The term is sometimes used figuratively to describe something that is dark, black, or glossy.

For instance, “The obsidian rock glistened in the sunlight, reflecting its deep black color.”
In a discussion about gemstones, one might say, “Obsidian is not technically a mineral, but it is still highly valued for its beauty.”
A person describing a sleek, black car might say, “The car’s paint job has a shiny, obsidian finish.”

13. Raven

A raven is a large, black bird known for its intelligence and dark feathers. It is often associated with darkness and mystery.

For example, “The raven cawed loudly from its perch on the tree.”
In literature, a writer might use a raven as a symbol of death or foreboding, as in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem, “The Raven.”
A person describing a dark and eerie scene might say, “It was as if a flock of ravens had descended upon the area, casting a shadow over everything.”

14. Stygian

Stygian is an adjective that describes something as dark, gloomy, or hellish. It is often used to create a sense of foreboding or to evoke a dark and sinister atmosphere.

For instance, “The cave was filled with stygian darkness, making it difficult to see.”
In a horror novel, a writer might describe a character’s surroundings as “a stygian labyrinth of twisted corridors.”
A person describing a particularly dark and stormy night might say, “The sky was stygian, with not a single star visible.”

15. Tenebrous

Tenebrous is an adjective that describes something as dark, shadowy, or obscure. It is often used to create an atmosphere of mystery or to describe something that is hidden or difficult to understand.

For example, “The tenebrous forest seemed to hold secrets within its depths.”
In a gothic novel, a writer might describe a character’s eyes as “deep and tenebrous, hinting at a hidden darkness within.”
A person describing a cryptic message or puzzle might say, “The meaning behind the message remains tenebrous, leaving us with more questions than answers.”

16. Umbral

Umbral refers to something that is shadowy or dark. It can be used to describe a place, object, or even a mood.

For example, “The room was filled with umbral corners, creating an eerie atmosphere.”
In a fantasy novel, the author might describe a mysterious figure as “cloaked in umbral darkness.”
A person feeling gloomy might say, “I’m in an umbral mood today.”

17. Cimmerian

Cimmerian is a term used to describe something that is extremely dark or black. It is often associated with the absence of light.

For instance, “The night was so cimmerian that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.”
In a horror story, a character might enter a “cimmerian abyss” where nothing can be seen.
A person describing a dark room might say, “It’s cimmerian in here, I can’t find the light switch.”

18. Sable

Sable is a word used to describe a deep, dark black color. It is often associated with the fur of the sable, a small mammal.

For example, “Her hair was sable, shining in the sunlight.”
A person might describe a black dress as “sable-colored.”
In a poem, the author might write, “The night sky was adorned with sable stars.”

19. Charcoal

Charcoal is a dark gray-black color. It is often associated with the charred remains of wood or other organic materials.

For instance, “The artist used charcoal to create a dramatic, smoky effect.”
A person might describe a stormy sky as “charcoal-colored.”
In a discussion about art, someone might say, “I prefer working with charcoal because of its rich, deep tones.”

20. Ink-black

Ink-black refers to a color that is as black as ink. It is often used to describe something that is extremely dark or black.

For example, “Her eyes were ink-black, mysterious and alluring.”
A person might describe a night sky as “ink-black.”
In a poem, the author might write, “The ink-black sea stretched out before us, endless and deep.”

21. Coal-black

This term describes something that is as black as coal, emphasizing its darkness.

For example, “The night sky was coal-black, with no stars in sight.”
A person might say, “Her hair was coal-black, contrasting beautifully with her fair skin.”
In a description of a mysterious figure, one might write, “He emerged from the shadows, his eyes gleaming coal-black.”

22. Nightfall

This term refers to the period of transition from daylight to darkness.

For instance, “The forest became eerie as nightfall approached.”
A person might say, “I always feel a sense of calm during nightfall.”
In a description of a sunset, one might write, “The sky was painted in vibrant hues as nightfall descended.”

23. Ebon

This term is often used to describe something that is black or very dark in color, similar to ebony wood.

For example, “Her dress was made of ebon silk, shimmering in the moonlight.”
A person might say, “The night was filled with ebon shadows, making it hard to see.”
In a description of a mysterious object, one might write, “The box was made of ebon wood, intricately carved with ancient symbols.”

24. Shrouded

This term describes something that is concealed or hidden in darkness or secrecy.

For instance, “The ancient tomb was shrouded in darkness, its secrets waiting to be uncovered.”
A person might say, “The truth about his past remains shrouded in mystery.”
In a description of a foggy night, one might write, “The city was shrouded in a thick blanket of darkness, the streetlights barely visible.”

25. Black as night

This term emphasizes the extreme darkness or blackness of something, comparing it to the darkest part of the night.

For example, “The room was black as night, with no windows to let in any light.”
A person might say, “His eyes were black as night, piercing through your soul.”
In a description of a moonless night, one might write, “The sky was black as night, not a single star in sight.”

26. Dark as coal

This phrase is used to describe something that is very dark in color, similar to the color of coal. It can be used to describe objects, places, or even a person’s complexion.

For example, “The room was dark as coal, with no windows or lights.”
A person might say, “His skin was dark as coal, a result of spending hours working outside in the sun.”
A writer might describe a character as having “eyes as dark as coal,“eyes as dark as coal, filled with mystery and intrigue.”

27. Jet black

This term is used to describe a color that is extremely dark and intense, similar to the color of jet black. It is often used to describe the color of hair, clothing, or objects.

For instance, “Her hair was jet black, shining in the sunlight.”
A person might say, “I prefer to wear clothes in shades of jet black, it’s a classic and timeless color.”
A writer might describe a scene as “a room painted in jet black,“a room painted in jet black, creating an atmosphere of mystery and suspense.”

28. Smoky

This word is used to describe a dark or dimly lit environment that is filled with smoke or haze. It can be used to describe a room, a bar, or even a cityscape.

For example, “The bar was filled with smoky air, making it difficult to see across the room.”
A person might say, “I love the smoky atmosphere of jazz clubs, it adds to the overall ambiance.”
A writer might describe a setting as “a smoky alleyway,“a smoky alleyway, with dim streetlights casting eerie shadows.”

29. Inky

This term is used to describe something that is very dark in color, similar to the color of ink. It can be used to describe objects, artwork, or even the color of the night sky.

For instance, “The painting had inky black strokes, creating a sense of depth and contrast.”
A person might say, “I love wearing clothes in inky black, it’s a versatile color that goes with everything.”
A writer might describe a character’s eyes as “dark and inky,“dark and inky, reflecting a sense of mystery and allure.”

30. Sooty

This word is used to describe something that is covered in soot, a black residue typically left behind by smoke or fire. It can be used to describe objects, surfaces, or even a person’s appearance.

For example, “The fireplace left the walls sooty, giving the room a rustic and cozy feel.”
A person might say, “After working in the garage, my hands were sooty from handling the engine.”
A writer might describe a building as “old and sooty,“old and sooty, a testament to its rich history and character.”

31. Swarthy

Swarthy is a term used to describe someone with dark skin or a dark complexion. It can also refer to someone who has a deep tan.

For example, “He had a swarthy complexion that hinted at his Mediterranean heritage.”
In a discussion about diversity, someone might say, “Representation in media should include more swarthy characters.”
A travel blogger might describe a destination as, “A place where you can soak up the sun and get a swarthy tan.”

32. Melanistic

Melanistic refers to an individual or animal that has an unusually high amount of dark pigment, often resulting in a black or very dark appearance.

For instance, “The melanistic jaguar is a rare and striking sight in the wild.”
In a conversation about wildlife, someone might mention, “Melanistic squirrels are sometimes mistaken for black squirrels.”
A nature enthusiast might say, “I saw a melanistic pheasant while birdwatching yesterday.”

33. Twilight

Twilight is the time of day when the sun is below the horizon, but there is still some light in the sky. It is often associated with the transition from day to night.

For example, “I love taking walks during the twilight hours.”
In a discussion about photography, someone might say, “Twilight is the best time to capture stunning landscape shots.”
A poet might describe the beauty of twilight as, “The sky painted in hues of purple and orange during the twilight hours.”

34. Gloaming

Gloaming refers to the period of time in the evening when the daylight begins to fade and darkness starts to set in. It is often used to describe the serene and peaceful atmosphere during this time.

For instance, “The gloaming cast a soft glow over the landscape.”
In a conversation about favorite moments of the day, someone might say, “I love the tranquility of the gloaming.”
A writer might describe a scene as, “The characters walked hand in hand through the gloaming, their silhouettes merging with the fading light.”