Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Name That Thing

Take our visual vocab quiz

Test Your Knowledge »

True or False?

A quick quiz about stuff worth knowing

Take It Now »

Join Us on FB & Twitter

Get the Word of the Day and More

Facebook | Twitter

film noir


film noir

noun \-ˈnwär\
plural film noirs \-ˈnwär(z)\ or films noir or films noirs \-ˈnwär\

Definition of FILM NOIR

: a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music; also : a film of this type

Origin of FILM NOIR

French, literally, black film
First Known Use: 1958

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: filmography
Previous Word in the Dictionary: filmmaking
All Words Near: film noir

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up film noir? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).