dark-brown

dark-brown — adjective

1. describing a color that is a deep or rich shade of brown, noticeably darker than

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

describing a color that is a deep or rich shade of brown, noticeably darker than ordinary brown — used especially for hair, eyes, wood, leather, soil, or fabric.

Example

Lisa has long, dark-brown hair that she usually ties in a ponytail.

compound adjective before a noun: dark-brown + hair/eyes/body part

The old wooden desk had a dark-brown finish that shone in the afternoon light.

describing wood or furniture finish

Common collocations
  • dark-brown hair
  • dark-brown eyes
  • dark-brown leather
  • dark-brown wood
  • dark-brown soil
  • dark-brown fabric
  • dark-brown color
Synonyms
  • chocolate brown

    warmer and more reddish, directly associated with chocolate

  • chestnut

    reddish-brown, used especially for hair color and horse coats

  • mahogany

    reddish-brown with a glossy quality, primarily describing wood

  • espresso

    very dark brown, almost black, with cool undertones like coffee

Antonyms
  • light brown

    a much paler shade of brown

  • beige

    pale brownish-gray, very light in comparison

Usage Note

Often appears before nouns describing physical features (hair, eyes, skin) or natural and manufactured materials (wood, leather, soil, fabric). Unlike 'black' or 'white,' dark-brown may or may not take a hyphen depending on position — hyphenated before a noun (a dark-brown coat), unhyphenated after a linking verb (the coat is dark brown).

Common Mistakes

She has dark brown hair.
She has dark-brown hair.
When used as a compound adjective before a noun, 'dark-brown' is usually hyphenated to show that both words together modify the noun.
I prefer dark-brown over black for my handbag.
I prefer dark brown over black for my handbag.
When used as a noun referring to the color itself, no hyphen is needed.

2. describing food that has been cooked until its outer surface turns a deep golden

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing food that has been cooked until its outer surface turns a deep golden or brown color, which often signals a desirable texture and richer flavor — for instance, bread crust, roasted meat skin, or caramelized onions.

Example

Hao pulled the loaf from the oven when the crust was perfectly dark-brown.

describing baked goods crust

Folake flipped the pancakes once the underside turned a nice dark-brown.

cooking verb + turn + dark-brown

Common collocations
  • dark-brown crust
  • dark-brown skin
  • dark-brown edges
  • turn dark-brown
  • go dark-brown
  • become dark-brown
Synonyms
  • golden brown

    lighter in shade, the ideal color for baked goods like bread and pastries

  • caramelized

    specifically about sugar browning, with a sweet flavor profile

  • toasted

    dried and slightly browned by direct heat, common for bread, nuts, and seeds

Antonyms
  • burnt

    overcooked to the point of blackening, producing a bitter taste

  • pale

    not cooked enough to develop browning on the surface

Usage Note

Frequently used in recipes and cooking instructions. Describes an appetizing browned exterior, not to be confused with 'burnt,' which implies a blackened, ruined result. Common with verbs like 'turn,' 'go,' 'become,' and 'get' followed by a color complement.

Common Mistakes

The chicken skin turned dark-brown and burnt.
The chicken skin turned dark-brown and crispy.
'Dark-brown' in cooking describes a desirable result; once food turns black, it is 'burnt,' not 'dark-brown.'

Word family

  • brown
    adjectiveA1
  • brown
    nounA2
  • dark brown
    nounB1
  • brownish
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five terms describe dark shades of brown, but each emphasizes a different quality. 'Chocolate brown' is warm and slightly reddish, directly evoking the candy — it often describes hair, paint, and fabric. 'Chestnut' is a reddish-brown tone specifically used for hair color and horse coats; it is warmer and lighter than dark-brown. 'Mahogany' adds a glossy, reddish depth and is most commonly applied to wood finishes and high-end furniture. 'Espresso' is the darkest of the group — nearly black with cool, subtle undertones — and appears in fashion and interior design. 'Umber' is a natural brown pigment with greenish or yellowish undertones, used mainly in art and geology rather than everyday description. For everyday use, 'dark-brown' is the most general and neutral term; 'chocolate brown' and 'chestnut' add a warmer personality, while 'mahogany' and 'espresso' suggest richness and sophistication.

chocolate brownchestnutmahoganyespresso ↗umber

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a shade of dark brown
  • in dark brown
  • dark brown in color

Etymology

Old English (deorc)Old English (brūn)English

Formed by combining 'dark' (from Old English 'deorc', meaning without light, gloomy, or concealed) and 'brown' (from Old English 'brūn', a dusky or dark color). The compound 'dark-brown' has been used in English since at least the 14th century to describe deeper shades of brown in textiles, animals, and later in broader color description.