black canyon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowGeographic/Geological, Literary
Quick answer
What does “black canyon” mean?
A deep, steep-sided gorge or ravine, typically formed by river erosion, whose walls appear very dark due to shade, rock colour, or vegetation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deep, steep-sided gorge or ravine, typically formed by river erosion, whose walls appear very dark due to shade, rock colour, or vegetation.
A term often used as a proper name for specific geological features (e.g., Black Canyon of the Gunnison) and can metaphorically describe any situation or environment characterised by deep, imposing darkness, danger, or difficulty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a geological/topographic term, usage is identical. The specific landmark 'Black Canyon' is in the US, so reference frequency is higher in American English.
Connotations
Similar connotations of depth, darkness, and inaccessibility in both variants.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to famous landmarks like the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Rare in everyday British English outside of specific geographic or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “black canyon” in a Sentence
[The/This/A] + black canyonBlack Canyon + of + [Geographic Name]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black canyon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The black-canyon walls were intimidating.
- They embarked on a black-canyon expedition.
American English
- The black-canyon vista was breathtaking.
- We took the black-canyon route.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical for a risky market downturn or a difficult negotiation phase ('navigating a financial black canyon').
Academic
Used in geography, geology, and environmental studies to describe specific landforms or case studies.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used descriptively after visiting a notable location or in travel stories.
Technical
Specific term in geology and topography for a type of canyon with particularly dark or shaded walls.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black canyon”
- Capitalising when used descriptively ('We saw a black canyon') vs. not capitalising when it's part of a proper name ('We visited Black Canyon').
- Using 'canyon' interchangeably with 'valley'; a canyon is specifically steep-sided.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a proper noun when it is the official name of a place (e.g., Black Canyon City). It is a common noun phrase when used descriptively (e.g., 'a terrifying black canyon').
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado, USA, is a renowned national park known for its dramatic depth and steep, dark cliffs.
Yes, though it's not a standard metaphor. It can poetically describe any profoundly dark, deep, dangerous, or difficult situation or period.
The terms are often used interchangeably. Some definitions suggest a gorge is narrower and steeper than a canyon, but 'canyon' (from Spanish) is more common in American English for large features.
A deep, steep-sided gorge or ravine, typically formed by river erosion, whose walls appear very dark due to shade, rock colour, or vegetation.
Black canyon is usually geographic/geological, literary in register.
Black canyon: in British English it is pronounced /blæk ˈkænjən/, and in American English it is pronounced /blæk ˈkænjən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically with 'black canyon']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a canyon so deep and narrow that sunlight never reaches the bottom, leaving it perpetually BLACK.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BLACK CANYON IS A DANGEROUS/DARK JOURNEY (e.g., 'The company went through a black canyon after the scandal').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'black canyon' most likely to be capitalised?