dark mode
/dɑːrk moʊd/
Very CommonA color scheme that uses dark backgrounds and light text instead of the default light theme.
Has become a personality marker online. Saying you use dark mode signals you are a certain type of tech person. 'Light mode user' is a mild insult in some communities.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | how does this app still not have dark mode in 2024 | The app lacks a basic feature that most users expect. | x, 2024 |
| 02 | dark mode is not a feature. it's a requirement | The speaker considers dark mode non-negotiable for any modern app. | x, 2023 |
| 03 | light mode users really said sure I'll fry my eyes at 2am | People who use light mode at night are subjecting themselves to unnecessary eye strain. | reddit, 2023 |
| 04 | dark mode added. ship it | The dark theme is done and ready to release. | x, 2024 |
Use it when
- Referring to a dark color scheme in an app or OS.
- Describing your interface preference.
- Asking about or adding dark theme support to an app.
- Jokingly judging someone who uses light mode.
Do not use it when
- You mean the screen brightness is low.
- You mean night mode on a camera.
Dark mode vs light mode
dark mode
Dark mode uses dark backgrounds and is preferred in low-light or by those who dislike bright screens.
VS
light-mode
Light mode uses white or light backgrounds and is the traditional default for most apps.
Origin and context
Dark interfaces existed in early computing, but dark mode as a modern user preference took off after macOS Mojave introduced system-wide dark mode in 2018, followed by iOS 13 and Android 10 in 2019.
- First seen
- 2018
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/dark-modeUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0