darkening
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: Becoming dark or darker, especially due to diminishing light or increasing cloud cover. Example: We hurried home under the darkening sky.
Noun: The process or act of changing to a darker color or shade; the state of growing dark. Example: The darkening of the wood was caused by years of exposure to sunlight.
Usage
- As an adjective, "darkening" typically describes a sky, room, or landscape that is in the process of losing light.
- The darkening clouds signaled an approaching storm.
- As a noun, "darkening" refers to the process itself. It is often used with "the" or a possessive.
- The rapid darkening of the room made it difficult to read.
Examples
- Adjective:
- She watched the darkening horizon with concern.
- The darkening mood in the meeting was palpable.
- Noun:
- He observed the gradual darkening of the leaves in autumn.
- A sudden darkening of the screen indicated a power failure.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: "Darkening" can describe a worsening or more somber mood, situation, or prospect.
- The darkening economic outlook worried investors.
- There was a darkening of his usual cheerful demeanor.
Variants and Related Words
- Darken (verb): To make or become dark or darker.
- The storm clouds darkened the afternoon.
- Darkened (adjective): Describes something that has already become dark.
- We entered a darkened room.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Dimming, shadowing, clouding, obscuring.
- Noun: Dimming, shading, blackening, obscuration.
Antonyms
- Adjective/Noun: Brightening, lightening, illuminating.
Adjective
- becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
- the darkening sky
Noun
- changing to a darker color