Phrase guide

dark pattern

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A user interface that is intentionally designed to trick users into doing things that are not in their own best interest, such as giving up more information, or agreeing to unfavourable terms.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, graphical-user-interface, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • It was really easy to register an account on the app, but the option to delete my account seemed almost impossible, which made me feel like a victim of a dark pattern.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Coined by user-experience consultant Harry Brignull in 2010.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: harhauttava käyttöliittymä — Translations
  • Finnish: pimeä käytäntö — Translations
  • Finnish: pimeä malli — Translations
  • Polish: antywzorzec — Translations