dark-skinned
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having naturally dark-colored skin: Describes a person whose skin tone is naturally dark, often due to higher levels of melanin pigment.
- Having skin rich in melanin pigments: A more scientific description, indicating a physiological characteristic of the skin.
Usage
- Used as a descriptive adjective to refer to a person's natural skin complexion.
- It is a compound adjective formed by combining "dark" and "skinned."
Examples
- Adjective:
- The dark-skinned model walked confidently down the runway.
- Many dark-skinned peoples have a natural resistance to sunburn.
- He was a tall, dark-skinned man with a friendly smile.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used in anthropological, sociological, or descriptive contexts. It is a neutral descriptor of physical appearance.
- The archaic synonym "swart" or "swarthy" is sometimes found in older literature but is less common in modern usage.
Variants and Related Words
- Swarthy (adj): Having a dark complexion. (Similar in meaning, sometimes used in literary contexts.)
- Dusky (adj): Dark in color, especially referring to skin; can imply a darkish or shadowy quality. (Often used poetically.)
- Melanated (adj): (Technical/Modern) Containing melanin; sometimes used in discussions about skin tone and biology.
Synonyms
- Brown-skinned
- Deep-complexioned
Notes on Usage
- "Dark-skinned" is a straightforward compound adjective. It is generally considered a neutral, descriptive term. However, as with any term describing race or ethnicity, sensitivity to context and individual preference is important.
- The example from the reference context, "`swart' is archaic," indicates that while "swart" is a synonym, it is no longer in common use.
Adjective
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naturally having skin of a dark color
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a dark-skinned beauty
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gold earrings gleamed against her dusky cheeks
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a smile on his swarthy face
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`swart' is archaic
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having skin rich in melanin pigments
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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
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dark-skinned peoples
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