Meaning & use

dusky skin

noun·Advanced

A skin tone that is dark or shadowy, a somewhat literary or old-fashioned way to describe complexion.

See it in a sentence

The novel described the sailor's dusky skin, weathered by years spent at sea.

Her dusky skin glowed warmly in the light of the setting sun.

A note on using this word

Considered somewhat dated or overly poetic in modern usage; plain terms like 'dark-skinned' are more neutral in everyday speech.

Words with a similar meaning

dark skinolive skin

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

Words with an opposite meaning

fair skin

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