Meaning & use

aphotic zone

noun·Academic

The deep layer of a body of water that receives no sunlight and cannot support photosynthesis.

See it in a sentence

Bioluminescent fish are common in the aphotic zone of the deep ocean.

Below about a thousand meters, the aphotic zone remains in permanent darkness.

A note on using this word

The aphotic zone lies beneath the photic zone, where sunlight still allows plants and algae to photosynthesize.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

photic zone

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “aphotic zone”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.