black

The word 'black' originates from Old English 'blæc', which meant 'black, dark, or swarthy'. It is derived from Proto-Germanic '*blakaz', which also referred to the color black.

NOUN (1)

[/blæk/^en-US]

negro literal / muerte metaphorical / concepto untranslatable (No direct equivalent concept in SPANISH)

Synonyms darkness standard , coal informal

Antonyms white

The color that is the darkest possible hue, resulting from the absence or complete absorption of light. It can also refer to a dark-colored substance or material.

plural
blacks

She prefers to wear black. — This refers to the color itself.
He got soot all over his hands, a sticky black. — This refers to a dark substance.

ADJ (1)

[/blæk/^en-US]

negro literal / oscuro common / ebonita literary

Synonyms dark common , ebony literary

Antonyms light , pale

Of the color black; absorbing all visible light and reflecting none. It can also describe something very dark in appearance or lacking light, or figuratively, something associated with negativity, sorrow, or evil.

The black cat darted across the road. — This describes the color of the cat.
A black mood settled over him. — This describes a dark, gloomy feeling.

ADV (1)

[/blæk/^en-US]

negreando untranslatable (Rarely used as an adverb; difficult to convey the adverbial form directly in Spanish.)

This word is rarely used as an adverb in modern English. When it is, it typically means "to a black condition or state" or "darkly," often in the context of turning something black or becoming black, or in certain idiomatic phrases. Its direct adverbial equivalent is often difficult to convey succinctly in other languages because the concept is usually expressed through verbs or adjective phrases in conjunction with a verb.

rarely used as an adverb

The bread was burned black around the edges. — It was burned to a black state.
His face went black with rage. — His face turned completely dark due to extreme emotion.