adj
Uncommon
noir
NWAH
Noir (adj) means relating to film noir or its dark, morally ambiguous atmosphere. Example: “The film has a distinctly noir feel, full of shadows and moral grey areas.”
adj
1
Relating to film noir or its dark, morally ambiguous atmosphere.
"As a neo-Sherlock Holmes, however, Mulder is also a very noir version of the classic detective (just as Scully is a very noir Watson)."
— Jerold J. Abrams, Detection and the Logic of Abduction in The X-Files (2008)
"The film has a distinctly noir feel, full of shadows and moral grey areas."
noun
1
Short for film noir, a genre of crime films marked by cynicism, shadowy visuals, and morally conflicted characters.
"She's a huge fan of classic noir from the 1940s."
How to use noir
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to the dark, cynical style of crime films known as film noir.
Common pairings
film noir
noir thriller
noir aesthetic
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Word forms
- Plural
- noirs
- Comparative
- more noir
- Superlative
- most noir
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The film has a distinctly _____ feel, full of shadows and moral grey areas.
Etymology
Shortened from the French phrase film noir ("black film"), also related to the English word "negro."
Rhymes for noir
See all rhymes for noir →Frequently asked questions
What does “noir” mean?
The word “noir” means relating to film noir or its dark, morally ambiguous atmosphere. In plain terms, refers to the dark, cynical style of crime films known as film noir.
How do you pronounce “noir”?
“Noir” is pronounced NWAH (/ˈnwɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “noir” in a sentence?
Here is “noir” used in a sentence: “The film has a distinctly noir feel, full of shadows and moral grey areas.”
What part of speech is “noir”?
Depending on how it is used, “noir” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “noir” come from?
The word “noir” comes from French. Shortened from the French phrase film noir ("black film"), also related to the English word "negro.".
Is “noir” a common word?
“Noir” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “noir” have?
“Noir” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to film noir or its dark, morally ambiguous atmosphere.
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