1. Absence of light or illumination
   "The darkness of the cave was impenetrable";
   - dark
    
2. An unilluminated area
   "he moved off into the darkness";
   - dark, shadow
    
3. Absence of moral or spiritual values
   "the powers of darkness";
   - wickedness, dark
    
4. An unenlightened state
   "his lectures dispelled the darkness";
   - dark
    
5. The quality having a dark or sombre colour
   "The darkness of his suit contrasted sharply with the white walls"
    
6. A swarthy complexion
   "His darkness was enhanced by his recent Mediterranean vacation";
   - duskiness, swarthiness

Type of: complexion, condition, illumination, scene, skin color [US], skin colour [Brit, Cdn], status, unenlightenment, value

Antonym: lightness

Encyclopedia: Darkness, My Old Friend