adjective
blacker; -est
having the very dark color of coal or the night sky
very dark because there is no light
or Black :of or relating to a race of people who have dark skin and who come originally from Africa
In the U.S., the term African-American is often preferred over black when referring to Americans of African descent.
very dirty
served without cream or milk
literary :evil or wicked
very sad or hopeless :bleak
very tragic or unhappy
marked by anger or hatred
used to describe humor that deals with subjects which are usually regarded as very serious or unpleasant
noun
plural blacks
the dark color of coal or the night sky [noncount]
see color picture
[noncount] :black clothing
[count] :a person belonging to a race of people who have dark skin :a black person
The singular form black in this sense is rarely used and is often considered offensive. It should be avoided. The plural form blacks is commonly used to refer to black people as a group or community.
in the black
making a profit
verb
blacks; blacked; blacking
[+ obj] old-fashioned + literary :to make (something) black
Brit :to refuse to work for or with (a business, employer, etc.) or to buy (goods, services, etc.)
black out
[phrasal verb]
to suddenly become unconscious
black (something) out or black out (something)
to cover (something written) with a black or dark mark so that it cannot be read
to cause (a place) to become dark
to prevent the broadcast of (a televised sports event) - usually used as (be) blacked out
US