Similes are figures of speech that compare one thing to another using words like “as” or “like.” They make descriptions vivid, memorable, and easier to imagine
. One of the most fascinating subjects for similes is darkness—a word full of mystery, emotion, and depth.
Whether you’re writing a poem, story, or essay, these similes for “dark” can bring your words alive. Keep reading to explore 32+ unique and powerful similes with meanings and examples.
What is a Simile?
A simile is a literary device that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.” For example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Quick Similes for Dark
| Simile | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| As dark as night | Extremely dark | The cave was as dark as night inside. |
| Like a black hole | Completely absorbing all light | His mood was like a black hole, pulling everyone in. |
| As dark as coal | Very black and opaque | Her hair was as dark as coal. |
| Like ink spilled | Darkness spreading everywhere | The sky turned dark like ink spilled on paper. |
| As dark as a cave | Pitch black and hard to see | The basement was as dark as a cave. |
Full List of 32+ Similes for Dark
1. As dark as midnight
- Meaning: Completely black, with no light.
- Definition: Darkness compared to the dead of night.
- Examples:
- The forest was as dark as midnight.
- Her eyes looked as dark as midnight secrets.
2. Like a storm cloud
- Meaning: Dark and heavy with tension.
- Definition: Darkness compared to threatening clouds.
- Examples:
- His anger hung over the room like a storm cloud.
- The sky grew dark like a storm cloud ready to burst.
3. As dark as ink
- Meaning: Deep black color.
- Definition: Darkness compared to spilled ink.
- Examples:
- The ocean looked as dark as ink at night.
- Her dress was as dark as ink on parchment.
4. Like a shadow
- Meaning: Unclear and hidden.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a shadowy presence.
- Examples:
- He moved quietly like a shadow in the alley.
- Fear followed her like a shadow.
5. As dark as a cave
- Meaning: Pitch black inside.
- Definition: Darkness compared to an underground space.
- Examples:
- The tunnel was as dark as a cave.
- Without electricity, the room felt as dark as a cave.
6. Like a blackout curtain
- Meaning: Blocking all light.
- Definition: Darkness compared to thick curtains.
- Examples:
- The clouds covered the sun like a blackout curtain.
- His mind went blank like a blackout curtain pulled shut.
7. As dark as charcoal
- Meaning: Very black and smoky.
- Definition: Darkness compared to burnt wood.
- Examples:
- Her sketch was made with lines as dark as charcoal.
- The night sky was as dark as charcoal dust.
8. Like a raven’s wing
- Meaning: Shiny black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a bird’s feathers.
- Examples:
- Her hair shimmered like a raven’s wing.
- The cloak was black like a raven’s wing.
9. As dark as obsidian
- Meaning: Glassy black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to volcanic glass.
- Examples:
- His eyes glistened as dark as obsidian.
- The polished stone was as dark as obsidian.
10. Like a moonless night
- Meaning: Utter darkness.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a night without moonlight.
- Examples:
- The desert felt endless, like a moonless night.
- His thoughts were dark like a moonless night.
11. As dark as soot
- Meaning: Covered in black dust.
- Definition: Darkness compared to chimney soot.
- Examples:
- His hands were as dark as soot.
- The smoke painted the walls as dark as soot.
12. Like a dungeon
- Meaning: Gloomy and suffocating.
- Definition: Darkness compared to an underground cell.
- Examples:
- The cellar felt like a dungeon.
- Without windows, the basement was like a dungeon.
13. As dark as space
- Meaning: Infinite blackness.
- Definition: Darkness compared to outer space.
- Examples:
- The cave was as dark as space.
- His imagination stretched as dark as space.
14. Like an eclipse
- Meaning: Suddenly covered in darkness.
- Definition: Darkness compared to when the sun or moon is blocked.
- Examples:
- The truth vanished like an eclipse.
- Her smile disappeared like an eclipse of light.
15. As dark as tar
- Meaning: Thick black substance.
- Definition: Darkness compared to tar’s color.
- Examples:
- The road was as dark as tar at night.
- His boots were coated in mud as dark as tar.
16. Like smoke curling
- Meaning: Cloudy and shadowy.
- Definition: Darkness compared to drifting smoke.
- Examples:
- The night spread like smoke curling through the air.
- Her thoughts were like smoke, dark and restless.
17. As dark as ashes
- Meaning: Burnt and dull black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to cooled ashes.
- Examples:
- His jacket was as dark as ashes.
- The abandoned fire pit looked as dark as ashes.
18. Like a funeral shroud
- Meaning: Gloomy and somber.
- Definition: Darkness compared to mourning cloth.
- Examples:
- Silence covered the house like a funeral shroud.
- The sky dimmed like a funeral shroud.
19. As dark as molasses
- Meaning: Thick and sticky black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to the color of molasses.
- Examples:
- The syrup was as dark as molasses.
- The alley was as dark as molasses poured out.
20. Like a crow’s feather
- Meaning: Glossy black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a crow’s feather.
- Examples:
- Her cloak was black like a crow’s feather.
- His hair glimmered like a crow’s feather.
21. As dark as wet stone
- Meaning: Shiny and deep black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to stone after rain.
- Examples:
- The cave walls were as dark as wet stone.
- His eyes were as dark as wet stone.
22. Like a shadowed forest
- Meaning: Full of hidden darkness.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a dense forest.
- Examples:
- The hallway was like a shadowed forest.
- His mood was like a shadowed forest, heavy and still.
23. As dark as onyx
- Meaning: Smooth black stone.
- Definition: Darkness compared to the gem onyx.
- Examples:
- Her ring was as dark as onyx.
- The sky turned as dark as onyx.
24. Like a stormy sea
- Meaning: Dark and restless.
- Definition: Darkness compared to turbulent water.
- Examples:
- His thoughts churned like a stormy sea.
- The night looked wild like a stormy sea.
25. As dark as pitch
- Meaning: Completely black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to sticky pitch.
- Examples:
- The mine was as dark as pitch.
- His coat was as dark as pitch.
26. Like a haunted house
- Meaning: Dark, eerie atmosphere.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a spooky place.
- Examples:
- The hallway felt like a haunted house.
- The abandoned building was dark like a haunted house.
27. As dark as velvet
- Meaning: Smooth, rich black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to black velvet fabric.
- Examples:
- The curtain was as dark as velvet.
- Her eyes were soft yet as dark as velvet.
28. Like a closed coffin
- Meaning: Final and suffocating.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a sealed coffin.
- Examples:
- The silence was like a closed coffin.
- The cellar was dark like a closed coffin.
29. As dark as midnight oil
- Meaning: Deep and heavy black.
- Definition: Darkness compared to oil used in lamps.
- Examples:
- The water shimmered as dark as midnight oil.
- His writing ink was as dark as midnight oil.
30. Like a candle snuffed out
- Meaning: Sudden darkness.
- Definition: Darkness compared to a blown-out candle.
- Examples:
- The lights went out like a candle snuffed out.
- Her hopes faded like a candle snuffed out.
How to Use These Similes in Your Writing
Darkness can represent mystery, sadness, beauty, or fear. Here are some tips for using these similes:
- In poems: Use “as dark as midnight” or “like a raven’s wing” for imagery.
- In stories: Set a mood with “like a haunted house” or “as dark as pitch.”
- In songs: Add emotion with “like a storm cloud” or “as dark as velvet.”
- In essays: Use them carefully to create vivid comparisons without overloading.
FAQs About Similes for Dark
What is a good simile for very dark?
A strong one is “as dark as pitch”—meaning completely black with no light.
Why do writers use similes for dark?
They make descriptions more vivid and help readers visualize emotions, settings, or moods.
Can similes for dark be positive?
Yes. For example, “as dark as velvet” or “like a raven’s wing” can suggest beauty and elegance.
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor for dark?
A simile uses “like” or “as,” while a metaphor directly states something is dark, e.g., “The room was darkness itself.”
Where can I use these similes?
They fit perfectly in poems, stories, songs, speeches, and even academic writing to enrich descriptions.
Conclusion
Darkness can be frightening, mysterious, or even beautiful. Using similes makes writing more powerful by painting strong mental images for readers.
Whether you want to create suspense, describe beauty, or show emotion, these 32+ similes for dark will help bring your words to life.
Try adding them into your next piece of writing and see the magic they create.
