Key words · 24 to learn · C1

Heart of Darkness vocabulary

by Joseph Conrad, 1899

24 useful words from Heart of Darkness, from easier to harder. Each has a simple meaning and an example sentence, so you learn words you can actually use, not just recognise.

  1. rivernoun

    A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river.

    The river flows through the city.

  2. skynoun

    The region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth.

    The sky was clear and blue.

  3. waternoun

    A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain.

    She drank a glass of water.

  4. windnoun

    The natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction.

    The wind was strong today.

  5. lightnoun

    The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.

    The room was filled with light.

  6. darkadjective

    Having very little or no light, not light in color.

    The room was dark and quiet.

  7. silencenoun

    The absence of sound.

    There was complete silence in the library.

  8. trustnoun

    Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

    I have trust in my friends.

  9. memorynoun

    The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.

    She has a good memory for names.

  10. glancenoun

    A brief or hurried look.

    He took a quick glance at the clock.

  11. remarknoun

    A statement or comment.

    She made a remark about the weather.

  12. luminousadjective

    Emitting or reflecting light, glowing; illuminating.

    The watch has a luminous dial.

  13. tidenoun

    The alternate rising and falling of the sea, usually twice in each lunar day at a particular place, due to the attraction of the moon and sun.

    The tide is high in the morning.

  14. shorenoun

    The land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water.

    We walked along the shore.

  15. gloomnoun

    Partial or total darkness; a state of depression or despondency.

    The room was filled with gloom.

  16. silhouettenoun

    The dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background, especially in dim light.

    I could see the silhouette of a tree against the sky.

  17. immenseadjective

    Extremely large or great, especially in scale or degree.

    The ocean is immense.

  18. sereneadjective

    Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.

    The lake was serene in the morning light.

  19. mournfuladjective

    Feeling, expressing, or inducing sadness, regret, or grief.

    She had a mournful expression.

  20. broodverb

    To think deeply about something that makes one unhappy.

    He brooded over his lost opportunities.

  21. evokeverb

    To bring or recall to the conscious mind.

    The music evoked memories of her childhood.

  22. fascinateverb

    To attract the strong attention and interest of someone.

    He was fascinated by the magician's tricks.

  23. ominousadjective

    Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.

    The dark clouds looked ominous.

  24. conquestnoun

    The act of conquering a country, area, or situation.

    The conquest of the city was swift.

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