noun

blackshirt

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Blackshirt (noun) means a member of the Italian Fascist militia, so named for the black uniform they wore. Example: “The blackshirts marched through Rome in support of Mussolini.”

noun

historical A member of the Italian Fascist militia, so named for the black uniform they wore.

"The blackshirts marched through Rome in support of Mussolini."

"Historians study how the blackshirts helped the party seize control."

"Several blackshirts were stationed outside the government building."

A member of any fascist political party or movement.

"Local blackshirts held a rally in the town square."

"The newspaper accused the group's leaders of acting like blackshirts."

"She wrote a book about blackshirts active in several countries during the period."

How to use blackshirt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA blackshirt was one of the black-uniformed Fascist militia in Mussolini's Italy, and the word can also mean a fascist more generally.

When to use it

The term is chiefly historical and usually appears in the plural.

Memory tip

Capitalise it as Blackshirt when referring specifically to the named Italian Fascist Party organisation.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

Brownshirt

Common pairings

Italian blackshirts a group of blackshirts blackshirt uniform blackshirt militia

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “blackshirt” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ marched through Rome in support of Mussolini.

Etymology

Blackshirt was formed in English by joining black and shirt. It was coined as a direct translation of the Italian phrase camicia nera, used for the black uniform shirts worn by Fascist Party militia.

Origin: Italian

Synonyms

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squadrista fascist

Related words

Nazi fascist fascistic

Frequently asked questions

What does blackshirt mean?

Historically it named a uniformed member of the Italian Fascist Party's paramilitary wing, so called for the black shirts worn as a uniform. The word later widened to cover fascists generally.

Where does the word blackshirt come from?

It is an English compound of black and shirt, created as a calque of the Italian camicia nera, the term for the movement's black uniform shirt.

Is blackshirt still used today?

It is mainly a historical term for Mussolini-era Italian Fascist militia, though it is sometimes extended to describe fascists more broadly.

What is the meaning of blackshirt?

"blackshirt" (noun) means a member of the Italian Fascist militia, so named for the black uniform they wore.

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Nazi fascist fascistic