ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ebony

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɛbəni// UK //ˈɛbəni// ebony Vulgar

n. a very hard, heavy, and dark wood that comes from tropical trees. It is often used to make expensive furniture or piano keys because of its deep black color.

n. a dense, heavy, dark timber obtained from various tropical species of the genus Diospyros. Often used in fine cabinetry and musical instrument manufacturing due to its durability and high polish.


SIMPLE

The piano keys are made of real ebony.

CONTEXTUAL

The artisan spent months carving the intricate patterns into the solid ebony chest.

COMPLEX

The contrast between the pale ivory and the deep, lustrous ebony created a striking visual effect on the antique chessboard, highlighting the master craftsman's attention to detail.

Synonyms
Origin

From ebony. First used by African Americans in the 1970s.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the material; can be countable when referring to specific types of the wood or the trees themselves.

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