Darkly: meaning, definitions and examples

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darkly

[ ˈdɑːrkli ]

Adverb

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in writing or art

In a dark, gloomy, or frightening manner.

Synonyms

gloomily, murkily, sinisterly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
darkly	This word is used when describing something that is literally or metaphorically covered in darkness or has a somber tone. She looked at him darkly, unsure if she could trust him
gloomily	Use this word when describing an atmosphere or mood that is dreary, depressed, or full of despair. He walked gloomily through the empty streets after hearing the bad news
sinisterly	This word is used when describing an action or event that appears evil, harmful, or causing fear. It has a distinctly negative connotation. The villain smiled sinisterly as the hero walked into the trap
murkily	Best used to describe something that is unclear or difficult to see through, often due to literal or metaphorical 'murkiness' or obscurity. The river flowed murkily, filled with debris after the storm

Examples of usage

The movie was shot darkly to create a sense of suspense.
The author described the forest darkly, setting a mysterious tone for the story.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

with negative connotations

In a way that is not fully understood or with hidden intentions.

Examples of usage

He looked at her darkly, making her feel uneasy.
The politician spoke darkly about his opponents, hinting at scandal.

Translations

Translations of the word "darkly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sombrio

🇮🇳 अंधकारमय

🇩🇪 dunkel

🇮🇩 gelap

🇺🇦 темно

🇵🇱 ciemno

🇯🇵 暗く

🇫🇷 sombrement

🇪🇸 oscuro

🇹🇷 karanlık

🇰🇷 어둡게

🇸🇦 بشكل مظلم

🇨🇿 temně

🇸🇰 tmavo

🇨🇳 黑暗地

🇸🇮 temno

🇮🇸 dimmur

🇰🇿 қараңғы

🇬🇪 ბნელად

🇦🇿 qara

🇲🇽 oscuro

Etymology

The word 'darkly' originated from the Middle English 'derkli', derived from the Old English 'deorc' meaning dark. Over time, it evolved to its current form in Modern English. The adverb 'darkly' has been used in literature and art to convey various shades of darkness, mystery, and negativity.

See also: dark, darken, darker, darkness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,649, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
16646 blest
16647 degenerated
16648 insufficiently
16649 darkly
16650 celebrities
16651 distinctively
16652 telecommunication
...