Pitch-dark

Pitch-dark describes a state of complete or near-complete absence of light; the extreme darkness. The term evokes a vivid image of a space where the lack of illumination is so profound that nothing can be distinguished by sight. It suggests a quality of darkness that is dense, encompassing, and potentially disorienting. The phrase often implies a heightened sensitivity of other senses due to the lack of visual input. The experience of being in pitch-dark can range from unsettling to frightening, particularly in unfamiliar environments or when alone. It emphasizes the intensity of the darkness, conveying a strong sensation of obscurity and an inability to perceive the surrounding environment visually. It often implies that one would need a source of light such as a flashlight, torch, or candle to see anything.

Pitch-dark meaning with examples

• The storm knocked out the power, plunging the entire house into pitch-dark. I fumbled for my phone, its screen my only source of light, to avoid tripping over furniture in the sudden and complete darkness. The experience highlighted my reliance on artificial light sources and left me feeling uneasy and vulnerable in my own home.
• Lost in the ancient cave system, the explorers found themselves surrounded by pitch-dark. Their headlamps flickered ominously, creating dancing shadows that heightened their anxiety as the silence pressed in on them. They relied on each other and their senses of touch and hearing to navigate the treacherous, unseen passages in the cavern.
• Waking in the middle of the night, I found the bedroom was pitch-dark. I strained my eyes, trying to make out the shape of the door, a familiar presence in the dark. Sleepily, I reached out, seeking the reassurance of my partner's presence, as the nothingness of the inky gloom pressed against my skin.
• After the sun set, and the clouds covered the last light, the forest became pitch-dark. The rustling of leaves in the unseen breeze and the calls of nocturnal creatures were all the hiker could use to navigate. She took slow, deliberate steps, trying not to disturb the unfamiliar night sounds, relying on her sense of hearing and the memory of the trail.