# blacks

/ˈbɫæks/ (US) · /blˈæks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blacks
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. racial identity

noun · CEFR B2

people who belong to a group with dark skin, especially those of African descent.

For teachers: people belonging to a racial group characterized by dark skin, particularly of African or Caribbean origin. Often capitalized in modern usage to denote a shared cultural identity.

- The census collected data on how many Blacks lived in the region.
- Sociologists studied the economic disparities faced by Blacks in urban centers during the mid-twentieth century.

### 2. dark clothing

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

black clothes, often worn for a funeral or a formal event.

For teachers: black garments worn as a sign of mourning or for specific formal requirements.

- The family arrived at the funeral dressed in their blacks.
- The widow was draped in heavy blacks, her veil obscuring her face from the gathered mourners.

### 3. to make dark

verb · CEFR B2

to make something black, like when you polish shoes.

For teachers: the third-person singular present indicative of 'black', meaning to make something black or to apply blacking to a surface.

- He always blacks his boots before he goes on parade.
- The apprentice carefully blacks the iron stove every morning to prevent rust from forming on the surface.

## Examples

- The survey collected data from both whites and blacks in the city.
- Historically, the laws in this region treated blacks and whites differently regarding where they could live and work.
- Sociological studies often compare the economic outcomes of blacks and other minority groups to identify systemic disparities within urban housing markets.

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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.