Learn How to Pronounce darkness

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darkness

Definition:

(nou) absence of light or illumination (nou) an unilluminated area (nou) absence of moral or spiritual values (nou) an unenlightened state (nou) having a dark or somber color (nou) a swarthy complexion

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈdɑːknəs

Examples:

A shadow is an incorporeal creature of sentient darkness.

The night is starless, with a darkness so enveloping that it seems to possess palpability.

Learn more about:
darkness

Related Words:

night

shadow

How to perfect your pronunciation of: darkness

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Common mistakes of darkness pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Some learners stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as "dark-"ˈ"ness". This is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is ˈ"dɑrk"nəs" in US English and ˈ"dɑːk"nəs" in UK English. Tip: Always stress the first syllable.
Omitting the vowel sound: A common mistake is to pronounce "darkness" as "darkns", dropping the vowel sound between "k" and "n". This leads to a misunderstanding. The correct pronunciation includes the schwa sound, ˈ"dɑrk"nəs" or ˈ"dɑːk"nəs". Tip: Practice saying the full vowel sound clearly.
Incorrect vowel pronunciation: Some may pronounce "darkness" with a short "a" sound, saying "darksness". This is not correct. The first vowel is pronounced as a long "a" sound. Tip: Focus on the "ar" sound, which should sound like "ah".
Overemphasizing the "k" sound: Learners sometimes pronounce "darkness" with an exaggerated "k" sound, making it sound like "dark-kness". This is incorrect. The "k" should be soft. Tip: Keep the "k" subtle, blending it smoothly into the following "n".
Confusing it with similar words: Some confuse "darkness" with "dark" or "darness". While they are related, "darkness" is a distinct noun. The pronunciation is ˈ"dɑrk"nəs" in US and ˈ"dɑːk"nəs" in UK. Tip: Remember that "darkness" refers to the absence of light, which helps differentiate it.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "darkness" correctly?

You pronounce "darkness" as /ˈdɑrk.nəs/ in American English and /ˈdɑːk.nəs/ in British English. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "dark."

What syllable does the stress fall on in "darkness"?

In "darkness," the stress falls on the first syllable, which is pronounced "dark." The second syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, making it softer.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "darkness"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress or pronouncing the second syllable too strongly. Remember to keep the second syllable light and quick, sounding like "nəs."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "darkness" between regions?

The pronunciation of "darkness" is quite similar across regions, but the vowel sound in the first syllable may vary slightly. Americans typically use a more open "a" sound compared to the British pronunciation.