black

I UK [blæk] / US adjective
Word forms "black":
adjective black comparative blacker superlative blackest
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Words that avoid giving offence: black:

Use the adjective black (sometimes spelt Black) to refer to people with dark skin whose families originally came from Africa. Avoid using black as a noun because this is sometimes considered offensive. Black people in the UK whose families originally came from the Caribbean often prefer to be called African Caribbean. Black Americans usually prefer to be called African American. In Australian English, use black to refer to the people whose families were living in Australia before Europeans arrived and settled.

1) having the darkest colour, like the sky at night when there is no light

He was wearing black shorts.

Black cats are sometimes thought to be lucky.

clouds of thick black smoke

2) black or Black belonging or relating to a race of people with dark skin, especially people whose families were originally from Africa

She was the first black woman barrister in the UK.

Dr King was a leader in the Black community.

a famous black actor

3) tea or coffee that is black has no milk in it

Do you take your coffee black or white?

4) making people feel unhappy or lose hope

one of the blackest moments in British history

It's a black day for the car industry.

5) showing angry or unhappy feelings

a black look

a black mood

6) relating to sad or unpleasant things such as death or illness

black humour

7) literary evil or cruel

a black deed

II UK [blæk] / US noun
Word forms "black":
singular black plural blacks
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1)

a) [uncountable] the darkest colour, like the colour of the sky at night when there is no light

b) black clothes

All the mourners were wearing black.

in black (= wearing black clothes):

Do you think I look good in black?

2) black or Black

[countable] offensive a black person. This word is sometimes considered offensive, so you should be very careful about using it.

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- in the black

III UK [blæk] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "black":
present tense I/you/we/they black he/she/it blacks present participle blacking past tense blacked past participle blacked

1) British to refuse to work with a company or to buy their goods, especially as a political protest

2) to make something black by covering it with a black substance

Phrasal verbs:

- black out