Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a dark, gloomy, or threatening manner: Used to describe how something is done with a sense of menace, gloom, or foreboding.
   • With little or no light; dimly: Used to describe how something appears or exists in conditions of darkness or poor visibility.
   • In a way that is obscure, mysterious, or not clearly understood: Used to describe something hinted at or expressed in a vague or ominous way.

Usage Examples

• Describing a manner or expression:
  • He laughed darkly at the suggestion. (He laughed in a way that suggested something sinister or unpleasant.)
  • "You'll see," she said darkly. (She said it in a threatening or ominous tone.)
• Describing appearance with little light:
  • The forest loomed darkly against the twilight sky. (The forest appeared as a dark, indistinct shape.)
  • The water flowed darkly through the canyon. (The water moved, visible only as a dark presence.)
• Describing something obscure or hinted at:
  • The prophecy spoke darkly of future calamities. (The prophecy referred to future disasters in vague, ominous terms.)

Advanced Usage

• "to hint darkly at something": to suggest something bad or mysterious without stating it clearly.
  • The official hinted darkly at possible repercussions. (The official suggested there might be negative consequences without giving details.)
• "to mutter darkly": to speak in a low, gloomy, or threatening voice.
  • He muttered darkly about revenge. (He spoke quietly but with a clear threat of revenge.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dark (adj): Lacking light; gloomy; sinister.
  • It was a dark and stormy night.
• Darken (verb): To make or become dark or darker.
  • Clouds darkened the sky.
• Darkness (noun): The absence of light; wickedness or evil.
  • The room was plunged into darkness.

Synonyms

• Gloomily: In a dark, sad, or pessimistic manner.
• Menacingly: In a way that suggests a threat of harm.
• Obscurely: In a way that is not clearly expressed or easily understood.
• Dimly: With a faint light; not brightly.

Related Phrases

• See something in a dark light: To interpret something in a pessimistic or negative way.
  • He tends to see all criticism in a dark light. (He interprets all criticism as hostile.)

Related Idioms

• A dark horse: A person about whom little is known, especially one who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
  • The new candidate is a dark horse in the election. (The new candidate is not well-known but could surprise people.)
• Keep someone in the dark: To deliberately not inform someone about something.
  • They kept the public in the dark about the negotiations. (They did not tell the public about the negotiations.)

Adverb

1. in a dark glowering menacing manner
   • he stared darkly at her
2. without light
   • the river was sliding darkly under the mist