“Chiaroscuro” is a straightforward loanword from Italian: “chiaro” means “clear, light,” and “oscuro” means “obscure, dark.” The Italian word came from Latin, with “clarus” meaning “clear” and “obscurus” meaning “obscure.” The noun is used in many contexts to refer to the interplay of light and dark. In paintings or in photographs, an artist might use bright white and shades of gray to create chiaroscuro. On a sunny day, someone might be caught in chiaroscuro when resting partly under a shady tree. It can also be used in a more metaphorical tone to depict, for example, a play that contrasts darker elements with more humorous moments.