darkening

Everyday

1. Darkening is the -ing form of «darken»: becoming darker, or making something darker. tree →
2. As an adjective, darkening describes something getting darker, like a darkening sky. tree →
3. A darkening face or mood is becoming angry or sad. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a darkening sky warns of a storm or of night coming; a darkening mood shows trouble. In science, darkening shows change: a banana's skin darkening as it ripens, or a cut apple darkening in air. Phrases: darkening sky, darkening clouds, darkening mood.

Examples

• The sky was darkening as we walked home. tree →
• Darkening clouds told us rain was coming. tree →
• The apple is darkening where I bit it. tree →
• His face was darkening with anger. tree →
• The water was darkening as the sun went down. tree →
• Leaves are darkening as summer ends. tree →
• Soon afterwards he saw something big coming towards him, darkening the sky. tree →

Note

Verb: darken, darkened, darkening. Spelling: dark + en + ing. Opposite: brightening, lightening.