adjective

1. opposite to white; of the color of coal or pitch
2. 1. designating or of any of the dark-skinned traditional inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, or Melanesia or their descendants in other parts of the world
   2. by, for, or about black people as a group; specif., in the U.S., by, for, or about black Americans black studies
3. 1. totally without light; in complete darkness
   2. very dark
4. without cream, milk, etc.: said of coffee
5. soiled; dirty
6. wearing black clothing
7. evil; wicked; harmful
8. disgraceful
9. full of sorrow or suffering; sad; dismal; gloomy
10. disastrous
11. sullen or angry black looks
12. without hope a black future
13. inveterate; confirmed; deep-dyed a black villain
14. humorous or satirical in a morbid or cynical way black comedy
15. secret; covert; hidden a CIA black operator

Etymology: ME blak < OE blæc < IE *bhleg-, burn, gleam (> L flagrare, flame, burn) < base *bhel-, to gleam, white: orig. sense, “sooted, smoke-black from flame”

noun

1. 1. black color
   2. a black pigment, paint, or dye
2. any substance or thing that is black
3. a spot or area that is black
4. black clothes, esp. when worn in mourning
5. a member of a black people
6. complete darkness or absence of light
7. Chess the player or side with the black or darker-colored pieces

transitive verb, intransitive verb

1. to make black; blacken
2. to polish with blacking