black
verb
blacked; blacking; blacks
: to become black (see black entry 1) : blacken
As she leaned against the stone cross … , the sky blacked with clouds.—
Hugh Coleman Davidson
Hugh Coleman Davidson1
: to make black
blacked his boots
2
chiefly British
: to declare (something, such as a business or industry) subject to boycott by trade-union members
Cite this Entry
“Black.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
black
1 of 3 adjective
1
a
: of the color black
b
: very dark
2
capitalized
a
: of or relating to any of various population groups that are often considered to have dark skin but that in fact have a wide range of skin colors
Black people
b
: of or relating to Black people and especially to African American people and their culture
Black literature
3
a
: very sad or gloomy
the outlook was black
b
c
: evil entry 1 sense 1, wicked
a black deed
—used in the past especially in literature
4
: characterized by grim or distorted humor
black
2 of 3 noun1
: a black pigment or dye
especially
: one consisting largely of carbon
2
: the characteristic color of soot or coal
3
: black clothing
dressed in black
4
: a black animal (as a horse)
5
capitalized
a
: a person belonging to any of various population groups especially of African ancestry that are often considered to have dark pigmentation of the skin but in fact have a wide range of skin colors
b
6
: absence of light : darkness
the black of night
7
: the condition of making a profit
in the black
black
3 of 3 verbLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
