dusky
gb/dˈʌski/ us/dˈʌski/
B2
Inglés
~ 27600
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
literary
B2
property
1
slightly dark or shadowy
A little dark, with low soft light, like in the early evening.
Patrón de uso:
a dusky [place/scene/sky]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "dusky" with "dusty". "Dusky" describes low or soft light; "dusty" means covered in dust. Also, "dusky" is more literary and not common in everyday conversation; in daily speech, people usually say "dark" or "dim" instead.
Sinónimos
dim (More common and neutral; focuses on low light without the gentle or poetic tone of "dusky".)
|
shadowy (Emphasizes areas of shade and unclear shapes more than the overall level of light.)
|
gloomy (Adds a feeling of sadness or heaviness, while "dusky" is more neutral or atmospheric.)
Antónimos
bright (Suggests a high level of light, the opposite of the low, soft light implied by "dusky".)
|
well-lit (Directly contrasts the low light or partial darkness of a "dusky" place.)
Colocaciones
dusky room
|dusky street
|dusky sky
|dusky woods
|dusky evening
|dusky interior
Temas
nature
|description
|time
|weather
Ejemplos
- They walked through the dusky hallway, where only a few lamps were on.
- In the dusky train station, the signs were hard to read.
- We sat on the balcony, watching the city turn dusky as the sun went down.
- The photographer loved the soft tones of the dusky church interior.
- Owls began to call in the dusky forest beyond the village.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We waited in a dusky room with only one small light.
- The sky looked dusky as the sun went down.
- It was hard to see the road in the dusky street.
- He likes to read in the dusky corner of the cafe.
- They walked home through the dusky park.
adjective
B2
property
2
dark, muted color tone
Having a dark and soft color that is not very bright.
Patrón de uso:
a dusky [color/noun]
Error frecuente:
Learners may think "dusky" is a basic color word. It is usually used with another color word (like "dusky pink" or "dusky blue") to show that the color is darker and softer. Also, some learners use it too often; in everyday speech many people just say "dark" or "muted" instead.
Sinónimos
muted (Focuses on low intensity of color without necessarily implying darkness.)
|
subdued (Emphasizes gentle, low-key color or style; can also refer to mood or sound.)
|
deep (Describes strong, dark color but may still allow some brightness; "dusky" suggests more softness.)
Antónimos
bright (Refers to vivid, high-intensity color, opposite of the soft darkness of "dusky" colors.)
|
vivid (Highlights strong, clear color that stands out, unlike the quiet, soft feel of "dusky" tones.)
Colocaciones
dusky pink
|dusky blue
|dusky purple
|dusky rose
|dusky green
|dusky shade
Temas
colors
|description
|fashion
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She chose a dress in a dusky pink that looked elegant under soft lights.
- The living room walls were painted a dusky blue to create a calm feeling.
- He prefers dusky earth tones to bright primary colors.
- The roses in the garden had turned a dusky purple by late summer.
- Artists often use dusky greens and browns for background landscapes.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She bought a shirt in dusky pink, not a bright pink.
- The room was painted a soft, dusky blue.
- I like dusky colors more than very bright colors.
- He chose a dusky green coat for the winter.
- The sky turned a dusky orange in the late evening.
adjective
literary
C1
property
3
having somewhat dark skin
Having skin that is naturally a little dark in color; this word is mostly literary and can sound old or rude.
Patrón de uso:
a dusky [face/skin/complexion/figure]
Error frecuente:
Learners may think "dusky" is a neutral, modern way to talk about someone’s skin color. In fact, when used for people, it often sounds old-fashioned, exoticizing, or even offensive, especially in reference to non‑white people. For neutral modern English, it is usually better to avoid describing strangers’ skin color at all, or to use careful, specific terms (like "dark-skinned") only when it is clearly necessary and appropriate.
Sinónimos
dark-skinned (More direct and modern; neutral in many contexts, but still sensitive and should be used carefully.)
|
brown-skinned (More specific in color; can be neutral but context and tone are important.)
Antónimos
fair-skinned (Describes someone with light skin, often contrasted with darker skin tones.)
|
pale (Indicates very light skin color, the opposite end of the skin-tone range from "dusky".)
Colocaciones
dusky skin
|dusky complexion
|dusky face
|dusky beauty
|dusky figure
|dusky features
Temas
people
|appearance
|society
|body
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The novel described a tall, dusky woman standing silently at the doorway.
- Old travel books often use the phrase "dusky natives," which now sounds offensive and outdated.
- The poet wrote of her "dusky hands" lit by the candle flame.
- In the painting, a dusky figure watches from the shadows of the room.
- Modern editors sometimes change the word "dusky" when it is used for skin color in older texts.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- In many old books, writers talk about a "dusky" woman or man.
- Today this word for skin, "dusky", can sound rude or old.
- The story says she has a dusky face and dark eyes.
- Some teachers tell students not to use "dusky" to describe people.
- Writers now usually choose other words instead of "dusky" for skin color.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
dusky
AFI
GB/dˈʌski/
US/dˈʌski/
Sílabas y acento
dusky (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (dusky)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: dusky
- Comparative: duskier
- Superlative: duskiest
Familia de palabras
Forms
duskier
adjective
duskiest
adjective
Core family
dusk
noun B1
Advanced or less common
duskiness
noun
Expresiones
Todavía no hay expresiones vinculadas a esta entrada.