# black

/ˈbɫæk/ (US) · /blˈæk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/black
Updated: 2026-04-30

## Senses

### 1. color

adjective · CEFR A1

having the darkest color, like coal or the night sky.

For teachers: absorbing all light and reflecting none; of the darkest possible hue.

- She wore a black dress to the formal dinner party.
- The artist used a deep black pigment to create a sense of infinite space in the background of the portrait.

### 2. ethnicity

adjective · CEFR A2

belonging to a group of people with dark skin, especially those with African roots.

For teachers: relating to or denoting any of various ethnic groups having dark pigmentation of the skin, typically of African descent.

- The festival celebrated Black history and culture through music and art.
- The seminar focused on the contributions of Black scientists to the field of theoretical physics during the twentieth century.

Usage: Often capitalized (Black) when referring to people or culture.

Teaching tip: Capitalization is increasingly standard in modern journalism and academic writing to show respect for the identity.

### 3. coffee/tea

adjective · CEFR A2

served without any milk or cream.

For teachers: denoting coffee or tea served without the addition of milk, cream, or dairy substitutes.

- I prefer my coffee black because I like the strong taste.
- He ordered a black coffee to stay alert during the long overnight flight to Tokyo.

### 4. secret or illegal

adjective · CEFR B2

secret, hidden, or against the law.

For teachers: relating to clandestine operations or illegitimate trade; often used in political or military contexts.

- The government was accused of running a black market for fuel.
- The agency's black operations remained classified for decades until a whistleblower leaked the documents to the press.

### 5. unlucky or evil

adjective · CEFR B1

very sad, unlucky, or showing bad intentions.

For teachers: characterized by tragedy, misfortune, or malicious intent; often used metaphorically.

- It was a black day for the company when the factory closed.
- The play is a black comedy that finds humor in very dark and painful situations.

### 6. the color

noun · CEFR A1

the color of coal or the night sky.

For teachers: the visual sensation or pigment that reflects no light.

- The cat disappeared into the black of the night.
- The designer chose to use black as the primary color for the luxury brand's logo to convey elegance.

### 7. clothing

noun · CEFR B1

clothes that are the color black, often worn for formal events or funerals.

For teachers: black clothing, specifically when worn as a sign of mourning or for formal attire.

- Everyone at the funeral was dressed in black.
- She arrived at the gala dressed entirely in black, standing out against the colorful decorations of the ballroom.

### 8. to make dark

verb · CEFR B2

to make something black or dark.

For teachers: to make something black; to apply a black substance to a surface.

- He had to black his boots before the parade.
- The smoke from the fire began to black the ceiling of the old kitchen.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.