dark art

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablefigurative

   A skill or activity that seems mysterious, slightly dishonest, or morally questionable.

   Grammar: Often used in the plural as 'the dark arts'; with 'a' it names one such practice.

   Patterns

   • the dark art of something
   • a dark art
   • the dark arts

   Tax planning is often called a dark art, somewhere between accounting and magic.

   She mastered the dark art of persuading people to agree with her.

   Journalists sometimes describe public relations as a dark art.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountableliterary

   Magic that is believed to come from evil powers, especially in stories and games.

   Grammar: Most often plural, 'the dark arts', in fantasy contexts; singular 'dark art' is also possible.

   Patterns

   • practise the dark arts
   • the dark arts

   In the novel, the villain learns the dark arts from an old book.

   Villagers accused her of practising dark arts and avoided her house.

Common combinations

the dark art of persuasion

He studied the dark art of persuasion before going into politics.

practise the dark arts

The story says only a few wizards dare to practise the dark arts.

master a dark art

She has mastered the dark art of getting free upgrades on flights.

a bit of a dark art

Forecasting the weather a month ahead is still a bit of a dark art.

Synonyms and how they differ

black magic

Use this for literal evil magic in stories; 'dark art' is broader and often used jokingly about real jobs.

mystery

'Mystery' simply means something unexplained, while 'dark art' suggests skill plus a hint of wrongdoing.

trickery

'Trickery' stresses cheating people; 'dark art' can be neutral or admiring.

Word family

dark arts noun

The usual plural form, meaning a set of such practices or magic.

Commonly confused: dark art or black art?

Practice

Make it your own

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