black
A1Universal: formal, informal, and all registers.
Definition
Meaning
the colour of coal or the night sky, the absence or complete absorption of visible light; the darkest possible colour.
Related to or characterised by this colour. Figuratively: sinister, evil, gloomy, depressing, or associated with death, mourning, or rebellion. Also used in specific contexts like finance (in profit), magic, and racial/ethnic identity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has an extremely wide range of applications from literal colour to complex figurative and cultural meanings. Often carries strong connotations (positive, negative, or neutral) depending on context. The adjectival and nominal uses are primary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in derivatives (e.g., 'blacking' as a noun for polish). The racial/ethnic designation 'Black' (capitalised) is standard in both. The idiom 'in the black' (profitable) is equally common.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. The political/cultural term 'Black British' is specific to the UK, analogous to 'African American' in the US context.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties. The verb use ('to black out', 'to blackball') is slightly more common in UK English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
black (noun) (e.g., The car is black)black (out) (verb + particle)black (something) out (phrasal verb)in the black (prepositional phrase)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “black sheep (of the family)”
- “in black and white”
- “black out”
- “black tie event”
- “black market”
- “pot calling the kettle black”
- “black and blue”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company is finally back in the black this quarter." (profitable)
Academic
"The study examines Black diaspora cultures in the 20th century." (ethnic/cultural identifier)
Everyday
"I'll have my coffee black, please." "It was pitch black outside."
Technical
"A black body in physics is an ideal absorber of all radiation."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The power cut blacked out the entire city.
- They threatened to black his name in the industry.
American English
- The storm blacked out several neighborhoods.
- The union voted to blacklist (or blackball) the company.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) Typically used in compounds: 'The room was painted black.' (adjective complement)
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) Used in phrases: 'The sky turned black.' (adjective complement)
adjective
British English
- She wore a smart black suit to the interview.
- He prefers a strong black tea in the morning.
American English
- He drives a sleek black sedan.
- The reporter had a wicked sense of black humour.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a black cat.
- My dad drinks black coffee.
- The sky is black at night.
- After the argument, he gave me a black look.
- The printer needs a new black ink cartridge.
- The documentary was in black and white.
- The comedian is famous for his particularly black humour.
- Several streets were blacked out during the maintenance work.
- Economically, the country has been in the black for three years running.
- The novel delves into the protagonist's blackest despair following the loss.
- The artist's use of unrelenting black creates a profound sense of void.
- The scandal threatened to blacken the reputation of the entire institution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BLACK: Big Letters Are Clearly Known. Think of the bold, clear letters of a headline printed in black ink.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLACK IS BAD/EVIL (black magic, black mark), BLACK IS ABSENCE/EMPTINESS (black hole, blackout), BLACK IS PROFITABLE (in the black), BLACK IS FORMAL/SERIOUS (black tie).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'black coffee' as 'чёрный кофе' in overly formal contexts; 'кофе без молока' is often more natural. Beware of false friend 'black eye' – it's not 'чёрный глаз' but 'синяк под глазом'. The phrase 'black and blue' means bruised, not just coloured.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The night was very black.' (Unnatural for simple description; use 'dark'). Confusing 'black out' (lose consciousness/lights) with 'blacken' (make dirty or reputationally bad). Overusing 'black' as a metaphor for evil without sensitivity to modern racial contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase uses 'black' to mean 'profitable'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, when used as a respectful racial or ethnic descriptor, it is not offensive and is often the preferred term. It is typically capitalised (Black) in this context, similar to other ethnic identifiers like Asian or Hispanic.
'Black out' often implies a temporary loss of consciousness or memory, sometimes while remaining physically upright (e.g., from alcohol). 'Pass out' usually means to lose consciousness completely and fall down. 'Black out' can also refer to lights or power failing.
The term originates from the French 'humour noir'. It describes comedy that derives from grim, morbid, or tragic subjects like death, disease, or suffering. The 'black' refers to the darkness of the subject matter.
It refers to a member of a family or group who is considered disreputable, disgraceful, or different from the others. The metaphor comes from the rare occurrence of a black sheep in a flock of white sheep, whose wool was historically less valuable.
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Colors and Clothes
A1 · 45 words · Colors and common items of clothing.