all blacks: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal/Informal (Capitalized proper noun in formal contexts; often used conversationally in sports contexts)
Quick answer
What does “all blacks” mean?
The nickname for New Zealand's national senior men's rugby union team.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The nickname for New Zealand's national senior men's rugby union team.
A specific proper noun referring to the internationally renowned New Zealand rugby team, famous for its black uniform, haka pre-match ritual, and winning record. It can also refer to the team's players, culture, and brand.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally understood and used in sports contexts in both the UK and US, but far more culturally salient and frequently used in Commonwealth nations where rugby is popular.
Connotations
Primarily connotes sporting excellence, tradition, and New Zealand national identity. In non-rugby contexts, it might be less familiar to some American English speakers compared to British/Commonwealth speakers.
Frequency
High frequency in UK/NZ/AUS sports media; lower frequency in general US English unless discussing rugby or international sports.
Grammar
How to Use “all blacks” in a Sentence
[The] All Blacks + [verb: are/play/win/have] + ...Subject: The All Blacks + ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “all blacks” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – proper noun
American English
- N/A – proper noun
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A – proper noun. Can be used attributively: 'All Blacks legend Dan Carter'.
- N/A – proper noun. Can be used attributively: 'All Blacks tradition'.
American English
- N/A – proper noun. Can be used attributively: 'All Blacks superstar'.
- N/A – proper noun. Can be used attributively: 'All Blacks culture'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in branding, sports marketing, and sponsorship deals (e.g., 'The All Blacks' brand is worth millions').
Academic
Appears in sports history, sociology, or cultural studies papers (e.g., 'The All Blacks as a symbol of post-colonial New Zealand identity').
Everyday
Common in sports news and conversations among fans (e.g., 'Did you see the All Blacks match on Saturday?').
Technical
Used in sports commentary, coaching analysis, and rugby statistics (e.g., 'The All Blacks' scrum success rate is 92%').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “all blacks”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “all blacks”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “all blacks”
- Writing in lowercase ('all blacks').
- Using as a singular noun ('The All Blacks is...' – incorrect; correct: 'The All Blacks are...').
- Confusing with other national teams (e.g., the Springboks, the Wallabies).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The name originally came from their all-black playing uniform (jersey, shorts, socks). A London newspaper report in 1905 may have referred to them as 'the All Blacks', either due to the jersey colour or a typo from 'all backs', describing their playing style.
It is correct to say 'the All Blacks are...'. Although it is a single team name, it is treated as a plural noun because 'Blacks' is plural. Think of it like a group: 'The Beatles are...', not 'The Beatles is...'.
In most global contexts, it refers exclusively to the New Zealand men's rugby union team. In very specific historical or local contexts, it might have referred to other New Zealand sports teams, but this is now highly unusual. It is a protected trademark.
Yes, it is a proper noun (the official name of the team) and should always be capitalised: 'All Blacks'. Writing 'all blacks' is incorrect.
The nickname for New Zealand's national senior men's rugby union team.
All blacks is usually formal/informal (capitalized proper noun in formal contexts; often used conversationally in sports contexts) in register.
All blacks: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːl ˈblæks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɔːl ˈblæks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To wear the black jersey (means to play for the All Blacks)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALL' of New Zealand's best rugby players wear 'BLACK'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE TEAM IS A NATION (e.g., 'The All Blacks carry the hopes of a nation'). THE TEAM IS A LEGENDARY FORCE (e.g., 'The All Blacks are an unstoppable machine').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences about the term 'All Blacks' is grammatically correct?