black
black
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "black" is /blæk/.
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
Word Form Variations
Adjective: black (base form), blacker (comparative), blackest (superlative)
Noun: black (singular), blacks (plural)
Verb: black (base form), blacks (third person singular present), blacking (present participle), blacked (past tense, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Of the darkest color, lacking hue and reflecting virtually no light, opposite to white.
Synonyms: ebony, raven, inky, sable, dark
Antonyms: white, pale, light, bright
Definition 2: (Of coffee or tea) prepared without milk or cream.
Synonyms: neat, plain, unadulterated
Antonyms: white, creamy, milky
Definition 3: Characterized by misfortune, sadness, or gloom; dismal or pessimistic.
Synonyms: dismal, bleak, gloomy, depressing, melancholic, somber
Antonyms: cheerful, bright, optimistic, joyful, rosy
Definition 4: Relating to or denoting a human racial group having dark skin pigmentation.
Synonyms: (often used as a substitute for "African American" in American English, but more broadly applicable globally), dark-skinned
Antonyms: white, Caucasian (in a racial context)
Noun
Definition 1: The color of maximum darkness, the absence of all color.
Synonyms: darkness, ebony, sable
Antonyms: white, lightness
Definition 2: (Often "the blacks") People belonging to a race with dark skin, especially of African origin.
Synonyms: African Americans (in the US context), people of color
Antonyms: whites, Caucasians (in a racial context)
Verb
Definition 1: To make something dark or black.
Synonyms: darken, obscure, ebonize
Antonyms: whiten, lighten, brighten
Definition 2: To boycott or refuse to handle (goods or work) as a form of protest or industrial action.
Synonyms: boycott, ban, embargo, veto
Antonyms: approve, endorse, sanction
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness." (Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford) - While not explicitly "black," the sense of profound absence of light aligns with one core meaning.
"I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core, But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—I know why the caged bird sings!" (Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings) - The title, though not using "black" as an adjective for the bird, is deeply resonant with the experiences and cultural significance of Black people in America, for whom the author is a prominent voice.
"He wore a long black coat and a wide-brimmed hat, almost hiding his face in shadow." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) - Here, "black" describes the color of clothing.
Newspapers:
"The government issued a black alert, warning citizens of severe weather conditions expected overnight." (Headline, The Daily Nation, 2025) - "Black alert" signifies a high level of emergency or danger in various contexts, from weather to hospital capacity.
"Local artists gathered to showcase their work, with a prominent display of black and white photography capturing the city's diverse architecture." (The Standard, 2025) - "Black and white" refers to a photographic style.
"Amidst growing concerns, several unions have threatened to black goods arriving from the disputed territory, citing human rights violations." (Financial Times, 2025) - Here, "black" is used as a verb meaning to boycott or ban.
Online Publications:
"Exploring the complex history of Black Wall Street and its destruction in the Tulsa Race Massacre." (Article title, History.com, 2025) - "Black" refers to the racial identity of the community and business district.
"Our new collection features sleek designs in classic black, perfect for any occasion, from formal gatherings to casual outings." (Product description, Zara.com, 2025) - "Black" describes a color choice for fashion.
"The recent stock market downturn has left many investors in the black, as their portfolios have seen unexpected gains despite the overall trend." (Blog post, Investopedia.com, 2025) - "In the black" is an idiom meaning profitable or in credit, opposed to "in the red."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Men in Black" (Film franchise, Columbia Pictures) - "Black" refers to the color of the agents' iconic suits and, by extension, their secretive organization.
"The album cover for Adele's '21' features a stark black and white image, reflecting the raw emotions within the music." (Music review, Pitchfork, 2025) - "Black and white" describes the visual aesthetic and often implies a timeless or classic feel.
"In the game, players must navigate a maze in complete black out conditions, relying on sound cues and a minimal HUD to survive." (Video game review, IGN, 2025) - "Black out" refers to a complete loss of light or visibility.
"Her performance was truly powerful; she delivered a black comedy routine that tackled sensitive social issues with sharp wit and had the audience in stitches." (Stand-up comedy special, Netflix, 2025) - "Black comedy" is a genre that deals with disturbing or taboo subjects in a humorous, often satirical, way.
General Public Discourse:
"I'll have my coffee black, please, no milk or sugar." (Common request at a coffee shop) - "Black" specifies the preparation method.
"Things are looking pretty black for the team after that last-minute goal from the opponents; it's going to be hard to come back." (Comment among sports fans after a significant setback) - "Black" indicates a grim or hopeless outlook.
"She was wearing a stunning little black dress to the gala." (Everyday fashion commentary) - "Little black dress" is an iconic and versatile item of women's clothing.
"They're painting the fence black to match the trim on the house." (Casual conversation about home improvement) - Simple use of "black" as a color.
10 Famous Quotes Using Black
"Every spirit builds itself a house; and beyond its house, a world; and beyond its world, a heaven. Know then, that the world exists for you. For you is the phenomenon perfect. What we are, that only can we see. All that Adam had, all that Caesar could, you have and can do. Adam called his house, earth; and Caesar called his house, Rome; you can build as black a cavern as they, or as white a temple." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self-Reliance")
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character... I have a dream today!" (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech) - While not using "black" directly as a color adjective for people, this iconic quote directly addresses the historical implications of "black" as a racial identifier.
"You can have any color you want, as long as it's black." (Henry Ford, referring to the Ford Model T)
"Into the valley of Death / Rode the six hundred... / Theirs not to make reply, / Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die: / Into the valley of Death / Rode the six hundred." (Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "The Charge of the Light Brigade") - The "valley of Death" is often implicitly seen as a dark, grim place, aligning with the metaphorical uses of "black."
"I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A small bird will fall frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself." (D.H. Lawrence, Birds, Beasts and Flowers) - While not using "black," this quote speaks to a harsh, "black" outlook on life's realities, avoiding self-pity.
"There is nothing more difficult than to be simple, and nothing simpler than to be difficult." (Oscar Wilde, often attributed) - While not using "black," this quote deals with paradoxes, and the concept of "black and white" thinking is often contrasted with complexity.
"We all live in a yellow submarine." (The Beatles, "Yellow Submarine") - This quote, by its contrast of a bright color, highlights the absence of "black" and its associated darkness or seriousness, common in the band's whimsical approach.
"My heart is as black as ink." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2)
"The night is black and I am far from home." (James Joyce, Ulysses)
"Here is a cube of black obsidian, polished smooth." (Stephen King, The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger)
Etymology
The word "black" has a fascinating history! It actually comes from a very old root word that surprisingly had two very different, almost opposite, meanings.
The journey of "black" starts way back in a very ancient language called Proto-Indo-European. This language is the ancestor of many languages spoken today, including English. In Proto-Indo-European, there was a root word, something like bhleg-, which meant "to burn, gleam, shine, or flash."
Now, how do you get "black" from "shine"? Well, think about fire. Fire shines brightly, but what's left after something burns? Soot, ash, and charred remains – which are black. So, from the idea of "burning" came the sense of "burned" and then "dark" or "the color of soot."
This root evolved into a Proto-Germanic word, blakkaz, which meant "burned." From there, it moved into Old English as blæc, meaning "black" or "dark," and also "ink." One of the earliest known written uses of this word in Old English (around 890 CE) was in a translation of St. Bede the Venerable's Historia ecclesiastica, where it was used to describe someone having "blæc feax" (black hair).
Interestingly, in Old English, there was also a very similar-sounding word, blac, which meant "bright," "shining," or "pale." Both words came from that same ancient Proto-Indo-European root! This could be a bit confusing for Old English speakers, and sometimes it's hard for modern scholars to tell which "blac" was intended in old texts. The "bright" root eventually gave us words like "bleach" (to make white) and "bleak" (pale or dreary).
So, in simple terms, "black" started from a word meaning "to burn or shine," but it took on the meaning of "dark" because of the dark residue left behind by burning.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Black
Black out: To lose consciousness, or for lights/power to fail.
Black market: An illegal system for buying and selling goods or currency.
Black tie: Describing formal evening wear for men (a dinner jacket or tuxedo) and often an evening dress for women.
Black sheep: A member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to them.
Black comedy: A genre of comedy that treats sinister subjects in a humorous way.
Blacklist: A list of people or things regarded as unacceptable or untrustworthy. (Also used as a verb: to blacklist someone).
In the black: Operating at a profit or being in credit (financially).
Black look/stare: An angry or hostile look.
Black dog: A metaphor for depression or melancholy (often associated with Winston Churchill).
Black ice: A thin coating of ice on a surface, especially on a road, that is nearly transparent, making it hard to see.
Black-and-white: Dealing with issues or concepts in a way that is overly simplistic, seeing only two extremes. (Also literally referring to colors).
To blackball: To exclude someone from a group, typically by voting against their admission.
Black eye: A bruise around the eye resulting from a blow. (Also figuratively: a mark of shame or disgrace).
The pot calling the kettle black: A proverbial idiom used to accuse someone of hypocrisy.
Black box: A complex system or device whose internal workings are mysterious or cannot be directly observed. (Also, an aircraft's flight recorder).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of black from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
