Definition

1. Adverb: In a state of having little or no light; in the absence of light.
   • This describes the condition of being in a place where light is absent, making it difficult or impossible to see.

Usage

• The adverb "in darkness" describes the manner or state in which an action occurs or a situation exists. It is typically used to modify a verb or a clause.
• It often conveys a literal lack of light but can also imply a figurative state of ignorance, secrecy, or mystery.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The explorers moved cautiously in darkness, relying on their sense of touch.
  • The city slept in darkness until the first light of dawn.
  • The secret meeting was held in darkness to avoid detection.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: Can describe a state of being uninformed or unaware.
  • The public was left in darkness about the government's true intentions.
• Poetic/Literary Use: Often used to create a mood of mystery, fear, or the unknown.
  • Ancient secrets lay hidden in darkness for centuries.

Variants and Related Words

• Darkness (n): The state or quality of being dark; absence of light.
  • The darkness of the forest was absolute.
• Darkly (adv): In a dark manner; with a dark color or appearance. Can also mean in a vaguely threatening or ominous way.
  • He laughed darkly at the suggestion. (This is a different, though related, adverb.)

Synonyms

• In the dark: (Idiomatic) Without light; also means being unaware or ignorant of something.
• In blackness: In complete darkness.
• Lightlessly: (Formal) Without light.

Antonyms

• In (the) light: Exposed to or illuminated by light.
• Brightly: With a lot of light.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• In the dark (about something): Uninformed or unaware of something.
  • The employees were kept in the dark about the impending layoffs. (Note: This common idiom uses "in the dark," not "in darkness," but shares a conceptual link.)
• Pitch darkness: Complete, utter darkness.
  • The power outage left the building in pitch darkness.

Adverb

1. without light
   • the river was sliding darkly under the mist