How to pronounce darken
Say it like DAR-kun. Darken has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce darken. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DAR
- kun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Darken pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of darken
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DAH-kun.
What does darken mean?
- To make dark or darker by reducing light.
- To become dark or darker (having less light).
- To get dark (referring to the sky, either in the evening or as a result of cloud).
Where does darken come from?
Cognate with Scots derken, durken (“to darken”), Old High German tarchanjan, terchinen (“to darken”), Middle High German terken, derken (“to darken”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with darken
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of darken.
Questions about saying darken
How do you pronounce darken?
Say DAR-kun. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɑrkən/. In British English it is /ˈdɑːkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in darken?
Darken has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAR). Broken into parts: DAR · kun.
Is darken pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈdɑːkən/ (DAH-kun).