Synonyms for

Black

Adjective / blæk / Another word for black — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

The color of coal or the night sky.

Synonyms & similar words

grim white melanize disastrous shameful calamitous bootleg bleak dark disgraceful blackened mordant melanise lightlessness opprobrious smutty smuggled negroid blackness dim inglorious whiten contraband negro inkiness dark ebony midnight noir jet pitch sable sooty inky raven coal charcoal obsidian shady gloomy murky dim dusky swarthy melanoid

Synonyms by register

Formal

dark ebon sable inky

Informal

dark shadowy

Literary

midnight stygian cimmerian

Antonyms

white light bright pale fair clear

Common collocations

  • black coffee
  • black market
  • black sheep
  • black hole
  • black tie
  • black magic
  • black out
  • black and white

Word family

noun blackness
verb blacken
adjective black
adverb blackly

Usage note

While 'black' is a neutral color term, it can carry negative connotations in certain contexts, such as 'black mood' or 'blackmail'.

Compare "black" with another word →

Example sentences

  1. The black cat climbed up the tree.
  2. The black car drove down the street.
  3. She wore a black dress to the funeral.
  4. The black night sky was full of stars.
  5. The black dog barked at the mailman.

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