When it is dark, there is not enough light to see properly, for example because it is night.

The dark is the lack of light in a place.

If you describe something as dark, you mean that it is black in colour, or a shade that is close to black.

When you use dark to describe a colour, you are referring to a shade of that colour which is close to black, or seems to have some black in it.

If someone has dark hair, eyes, or skin, they have brown or black hair, eyes, or skin.

If you describe a white person as dark, you mean that they have brown or black hair, and often a brownish skin.

A dark period of time is unpleasant or frightening.

A dark place or area is mysterious and not fully known about.

Dark thoughts are sad, and show that you are expecting something unpleasant to happen.

Dark looks or remarks make you think that the person giving them wants to harm you or that something horrible is going to happen.

If you describe something as dark, you mean that it is related to things that are serious or unpleasant, rather than light-hearted.

If you do something after dark, you do it when the sun has set and night has begun.

If you do something before dark, you do it before the sun sets and night begins.

If you are in the dark about something, you do not know anything about it.

If you describe something someone says or does as a shot in the dark or a stab in the dark, you mean they are guessing that what they say is correct or that what they do will be successful.