Definition Synonyms
Definition of blacking - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
processDated UK act of making something blackDated UK
- The blacking of the metal was necessary for its preservation..
2.
polishDated substance for a shiny black finishDated
- He applied blacking to his shoes for the event.
3.
materialsDated UK preparation with lampblack for coating surfacesDated UK
- The metal was treated with blacking for protection.
Adjective
temporary stateDated becoming black or being coated with blackDated
- The shoes are in a blacking condition after polishing.
Origin of blacking
Middle English, black (dark color) + -ing (suffix forming nouns)
Terms with blacking included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
shoe polishing
apply blacking to shoes or similar items
Examples of blacking in a sentence
Blacking the fireplace tools was a tedious job. The blacking gave the boots a glossy finish. He used blacking to restore the old furniture. He applied blacking to the stove to prevent rust. The boots were polished with blacking for a shiny finish. The blacking walls gave the room a mysterious look.
After the fire, the blacking ceiling needed repair.
View all translations of blacking
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:noircissement, encrassé, ...
- German:Schwärzung, schwärzend, ...
- Italian:annerimento, annerito, ...
- Spanish:ennegrecimiento, ennegrecido, ...
- Portuguese:escurecimento, graxa, ...
- Chinese:熏黑, 变黑的, ...
- Japanese:ブラックニング, 黒くなっている, ...
- Arabic:تَسْوِيد, مُسَوَّد, ...
- Hebrew:צִבּוּעַ בְּשָׁחוֹר, מַשְׁחִיר, ...
- Russian:чернение, почерневший, ...
- Ukrainian:почорніння, почорнілий, ...
- Hindi:ब्लैकिंग, काला, ...
Definition of black - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
colorhaving the darkest color, absorbing most light
- He wore a black suit to the meeting..
2.
beverageswithout cream or milk
- I prefer my coffee black.
3.
ethnicitybelonging to a racial group with dark skin
- She identifies as Black and proud.
4.
chessbelonging to the dark-coloured side in board games
- He played as black in the chess match.
5.
moralityevil or wicked in nature
- The villain's plans were described as black..
6.
illicitillegitimate or illegal
- They were selling black market goods.
7.
eventsmarked by disaster or misfortune
- It was a black day for the company after the scandal..
8.
gameof the spades or clubs suits in cards
- He played a black card from his hand.
9.
threateningRare expressing menace or discontentRare
- He gave me a black look.
10.
covertRare clandestine or secretiveRare
- The operation was classified as black.
Noun
1.
colorsthe color perceived in the absence of light
- The night sky was a deep black.
2.
ethnic groupmember of ethnic groups with dark skin
- He identifies as a black.
3.
strategyplayer controlling the darker pieces in a chess game
- Black made the first move.
4.
objectUK dark-colored ball used as target in snooker and pool gamesUK
- He aimed for the black to win the game.
5.
shadeRare dark-colored dye or pigmentRare
- She used black to dye the fabric.
Verb
1.
surface dirtbecome or make dark through coating or soiling
- Smoke blacked the ceiling within minutes.
2.
shoe polishingDated apply blacking to shoes or similar itemsDated
- He blacked his boots for the parade.
3.
protestDated UK boycott as part of an industrial disputeDated UK
- The workers blacked the company's products.
Images of black

dark-colored ball used as target in snooker and pool games
Expressions with black
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
small book with black cover, often used for notes
She scribbled her thoughts in a small black book..
dog with black fur
The black dog barked loudly at the stranger.
bruise around the eye from a blow
He got a black eye from the fight.
thin ice on roads, hard to see
Drivers should be cautious of black ice in winter.
printed page with black text on white paper
Please read the black and white before signing.
lose consciousness for a short time
He might black out if he stands up too fast.
sheep with a black coat
The farmer owned a black sheep among the flock.
hit someone so their eye area turns dark
He gave him a black eye during the fight.
show a dark bruise around the eye from an injury
He has a black eye after the fight.
very dark or completely black
The cave was black as night inside.
day when something very bad or sad happens
The accident made it a black day for the whole town.
angry or threatening look meant to upset or scare someone
She gave him a black look after his rude comment.
indication of disapproval or failure
The missed deadline was a black mark for the team.
buying or selling things against the law
He bought the rare animal on the black market.
having poor ability to grow and keep plants alive
She has a black thumb and her houseplants always die.
small book for recording personal contacts
He keeps all his friends' numbers in a little black book.
situation where someone accuses another of their own fault
That was the pot calling the kettle black when he blamed her for lying.
small strong black coffee without milk
She ordered a short black to start her day.
situation where money or resources vanish without clear accounting
The project became a financial black hole, consuming all our funds..
money earned illegally or not declared for tax
He was caught laundering black money through his businesses..
large waterbird with black plumage native to Australia
A black swan glided gracefully across the lake..
unfavored or disapproved by someone
He's in his boss's black books after missing the deadline.
in a way involving illegal buying or selling
They bought the medicine on the black market.
extremely black in color like coal
The night sky was black as coal.
Origin of black
Old English, blæc (dark)
Examples of black in a sentence
She painted her nails black. He likes his tea black. The espresso was served black. He is proud of his Black heritage. The Black community held a cultural festival. She prefers to start as black in tournaments.
Black has a strategic advantage in this position. His black deeds were known throughout the land. She had a black heart, full of malice. He was involved in black money transactions. The company faced charges for black operations abroad. The stock market crash was a black event in history. Losing the championship was a black moment for the team. She needed a black card to win the game. The dealer shuffled the black cards separately. The manager answered with a black glare. She shot him a black look from across the room. They discussed the black project behind locked doors. His years in black work were never recorded publicly. Her dress was a sleek black for the gala. The artist chose black to outline the drawing. The community center hosted a meeting for blacks. Blacks have contributed significantly to the culture. Black captured the knight with a strategic move. In the tournament, Black was at a disadvantage. She pocketed the black to seal her victory. Missing the black cost him the championship. The artist mixed black with other colors for depth. He chose black for the background of his painting. Grease blacked his fingers during the repair. The silver pot blacked above the smoky fire. She blacked the shoes to make them shine. The soldier blacked his gear for inspection. The union decided to black the new policy. They threatened to black the goods until demands were met.
View all translations of black
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:noir, le noir, ...
- German:schwarz, Schwarz, ...
- Italian:nero, persona di colore, ...
- Spanish:oscuro, oscuridad, ...
- Portuguese:negro, preta, ...
- Chinese:黑色的, 黑色, ...
- Japanese:黒い, 黒, ...
- Arabic:أَسْوَد, أَفْرِيقِي أَسْوَد, ...
- Hebrew:שָׁחוֹר, הַשְּׁחוֹרָה, ...
- Russian:тёмный, чернота, ...
- Ukrainian:чорний, афроамериканець, ...
- Hindi:काला, अंधकार, ...
icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.
icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.
icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the