1 B2 neutral
Of the sky or environment: to become progressively darker, especially as night approaches or a storm builds.
"The afternoon darkened down quickly as the storm clouds gathered over the hills."
inseparable
darken down
B2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To become darker or to make something darker, especially gradually — used of sky, light, colour, or mood.
In plain English
To slowly get darker, like the sky before a storm.
What does "darken down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To make a colour or shade deeper and darker, especially in art, design, or photography.
"The designer darkened down the background colour to make the text easier to read."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To grow dark in a downward or deepening direction.
Actually means
To slowly get darker, like the sky before a storm.
Usage tip
Often describes atmospheric changes (sky darkening before a storm) or gradual colour change in painting and design. The figurative use — darkening mood — appears in literary writing. More common in British English.
Words that pair with "darken down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sky clouds mood colour room afternoon
How to conjugate "darken down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
darken down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
darkens down
he/she/it
Past simple
darkened down
yesterday
Past participle
darkened down
have + pp
-ing form
darkening down
continuous
Hear "darken down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "darken down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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