black
Looking for the meaning of black? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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The colour/color perceived in the absence of light, but also when no light is reflected, but rather absorbed.
A black dye or pigment.
A pen, pencil, crayon, etc., made of black pigment.
(in the plural) Black cloth hung up at funerals.
(sometimes capitalised) A person of African, Aborigine, or Maori descent; a dark-skinned person.
Blackness, the condition of having dark skin.
The black ball.
The edge of home plate.
A type of firecracker that is really more dark brown in colour.
Blackcurrant syrup (in mixed drinks, e.g. snakebite and black, cider and black).
(in chess and similar games) The person playing with the black set of pieces.
“At this point black makes a disastrous move.”
Something, or a part of a thing, which is black.
A stain; a spot.
A dark smut fungus, harmful to wheat.
Marijuana.
To make black; to blacken.
To apply blacking to (something).
To boycott, usually as part of an industrial dispute.
(of an object) Absorbing all light and reflecting none; dark and hueless.
(of a place, etc) Without light.
(sometimes capitalized) Of or relating to any of various ethnic groups having dark pigmentation of the skin.
Designated for use by those ethnic groups which have dark pigmentation of the skin.
“black drinking fountain; black hospital”
(of a card) Of the spades or clubs suits. Compare red
“I was dealt two red queens, and he got one of the black queens.”
Bad; evil; ill-omened.
Expressing menace, or discontent; threatening; sullen.
“He shot her a black look.”
(of objects, markets, etc) Illegitimate, illegal or disgraced.
Overcrowded.
(of coffee or tea) Without any cream, milk or creamer.
“Jim drinks his coffee black, but Ellen prefers it with creamer.”
Of or relating to the playing pieces of a board game deemed to belong to the "black" set (in chess the set used by the player who moves second) (often regardless of the pieces' actual colour).
Said of a symbol or character that is solid, filled with color. Compare white.
Related to the Christian Democratic Union of Germany.
“After the election, the parties united in a black-yellow alliance.”
Clandestine; relating to a political, military, or espionage operation or site, the existence or details of which is withheld from the general public.
“5 percent of the Defense Department funding will go to black projects.”
Occult; relating to something (such as mystical or magical knowledge) which is unknown to or kept secret from the general public.
Protestant, often with the implication of being militantly pro-British or anti-Catholic
Having one or more features (hair, fur, armour, clothes, bark, etc) that is dark (or black); in taxonomy, especially: dark in comparison to another species with the same base name.
Foul; dirty.
Understanding "black"
The word **"black"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/blak/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"black"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "black" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "black" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "black" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /blak/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "black" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "black" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "black" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "black". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/blak/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "black" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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Refer to the usage examples above to see how "black" can be used in academic and casual conversations.