Black Meaning
Black Definition & Usage
The color that is darkest, resulting from the absence of light or a very low level of light.
Examples
- "She wore a sleek black dress to the party."
- "The sky was completely black after the sun set."
- "The cat has shiny black fur."
- "He painted the room a dark black, making it feel cozy."
- "Black ink stains were all over the paper."
A color that is the opposite of white, representing darkness.
Examples
- "She chose black for the background of the presentation slides."
- "The car was a deep shade of black."
- "I couldn't see anything in the black of the night."
- "The black of the leather jacket made it stand out."
- "The artist used black to create shadows in the painting."
Symbolizing negativity, danger, or an ominous event.
Examples
- "He had a black mood all day after the argument."
- "The company was facing black financial records."
- "The black clouds signaled a storm was coming."
- "They made a black mark on the history of the company."
- "He was given the black mark for poor performance."
A term historically used to describe people of African descent, often seen as a racial or cultural identifier.
Examples
- "She is proud of her black heritage."
- "The black community has faced systemic challenges."
- "Many black artists have influenced global culture."
- "The black population in the city has been growing rapidly."
- "There are many influential black leaders in history."
To darken or make something black in color.
Examples
- "The soot blackened the walls of the house."
- "The smoke blackened the sky over the city."
- "She blackened the edges of the paper with a marker."
- "The tires were blackened from years of use."
- "The fire blackened the entire forest."
Cultural Context
Black has significant cultural, symbolic, and psychological connotations in various societies. It is commonly used in fashion to denote sophistication and elegance (e.g., 'little black dress'). The color black also carries strong symbolism in many religions, traditions, and societies. It can symbolize death, mourning, and mystery, as well as power and authority in certain contexts. In addition, the use of 'black' as a racial descriptor is loaded with historical and political weight, particularly in the context of civil rights movements and racial identity.
The Blackened Horizon
Story
The Blackened Horizon
As the sun began to set, the horizon turned a deep black, swallowing the last remnants of daylight. Martha sat at the window, watching the shift in colors. The black sky was not a harbinger of doom, but instead, a comforting reminder of the quiet that followed each day. Outside, the world was transitioning into a new phase. The streets, once bright and bustling, were now shaded in darkness, illuminated only by the distant glow of streetlights. She had always loved the blackness of night. It was when she could breathe freely, away from the noise and expectations of the world. But not everyone shared her love for the dark. Her brother, who had just returned from his travels, was terrified of it. He spoke of the 'black market' he had encountered in his journeys—dangerous deals made in the shadows, hidden from the authorities. The blackness, for him, wasn’t comforting but ominous. "Martha, don’t you ever feel the weight of the dark?" he asked one evening as they sat together in the dimly lit room. Martha smiled, a playful glint in her eye. "Maybe. But sometimes, it’s the dark that shows us what we need to see. When the light fades, we’re forced to look deeper." Her brother frowned, clearly not understanding. He had always been more comfortable in the light, where everything could be seen clearly and distinctly. But for Martha, the blackness represented a kind of freedom—a moment where she could pause and reflect on the day. It was as if the blackened sky was a canvas waiting to be filled with her thoughts and dreams. As the conversation continued, they shifted the subject to their shared history. Growing up in a small town, they both had witnessed the struggles of their black community—how people fought for equal rights, how they built their own identity despite constant challenges. It wasn’t just about skin color; it was about resilience, pride, and strength. The black community had always found a way to stand tall in the face of adversity. By the time the night fully settled in, Martha’s brother had started to see the blackness differently. It wasn’t just the absence of light. It was a reminder of everything that had come before and everything that was still possible in the darkness. He was no longer afraid of the black sky. It had become a symbol of hope, of endless possibilities in a world that often seemed defined by boundaries. As they sat together, watching the stars begin to appear against the black canvas of night, Martha whispered, "The blackness is beautiful in its own way, don’t you think?"
Related Words
