noir — meaning in English

English meaning

• black adj Having the darkest possible color; reflecting no light.
• dark adj Having little or no light.
• negro noun A dated and now offensive term for a Black person, once in common formal use but now considered outdated and inappropriate.

Senses

noir is used for these senses in English:

• black (countable, chess) The person playing with the black set of pieces.
• dark A complete or (more often) partial absence of light.
• negro (dated, now, offensive) A person of black African ancestry.

black — full definition

1. adj Having the darkest possible color; reflecting no light.
2. adj Belonging to or descended from certain ethnic groups, especially of African origin, with dark skin.
3. adj Without milk or cream, said of coffee or tea.
4. adj Secret or unofficial, especially relating to government or military operations.
5. adj Grim, hopeless, or menacing.

dark — full definition

1. adj Having little or no light.
2. adj Deep or intense in shade rather than light and bright.
3. adj Secretive, sinister, or morally troubling.
4. noun The absence of light; nightfall.

Related French words