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Black completely absorbs all visible light in the color spectrum making it an achromatic color. This reference will help you learn vocabulary related to black, both in nature and in man-made objects. You’ll explore different connotations of black, both positive and negative, to enhance your language skills.
Things That Are Black
List of Black Things in Nature
Although less common than green or purple, black still does exist in nature. One theory is that the color provides camouflage. Animals that are black can be harder to see in the darkness of night or in the shadows of the forest. Black is the color of the night sky and the deepest depths of the ocean. Another theory is that black helps to absorb heat, which can be beneficial for animals in colder climates.
Animals, insects, birds
You can find the color black in the feathers of a raven, the fur of a black bear, and the scales of a black snake. Here are a few majestic and iridescent black creatures we love:
- Panther
- Bear
- Cat
- Emperor butterfly
- Crow
- Blackbird
- Raven
Minerals and Gemstones
Many of the earth’s minerals are black, sometimes due to volcanic activity, but also because of compounds present in their structure. These can include iron oxide, hematite, graphite and amorphous carbon all of which affect the darkness of colour. Examples include:
- Volcanic sand
- Coal
- Obsidian
- Sapphires
- Diamonds
Plants and flowers
Beautiful black blooms are rare and this occurs when their pigments are absorbing most wavelengths of light. It is believed that this attracts more pollinators to the flowers in colder seasons (as the plants retain heat more effectively).
- Orchid
- Tulip
- Blackberries
- Plums
- Dates
Man-made Objects
- Exclusivity and Elegance (think logos and packaging such as Chanel, Gucci, Prada)
- Stylish, Elegant Formal clothing (think tuxedo, cocktail dresses, crew neck sweaters)
- Practicality (think objects that are in frequent use outdoors, trash cans, street sculpture, furniture)
Positive and Negative Connotations
Although some people view the color black as negative, gloomy, and depressing, it can also be seen as powerful, elegant, mysterious and sophisticated. Even if the color black is often associated with evil, it can also represent strength, authority, and power.
In some cultures, it is the symbol of mourning and death, yet in others, black is seen as a positive color, representing life and fertility. Black is frequently considered a lucky color, and it is often used in magic and ritual.
There are many English idioms that reflect this divergence of association. On the positive side, we have sayings such as ‘in the black’, ‘black gold’ and ‘black tie event’ which hint at luxury and wealth. Conversely, ‘the black sheep’, ‘black and blue’ and ‘black market’ can signify disappointment, violence and immoral or illegal activity.
Due to its sophistication and practicality (think Little black dress and car tires), black is abundant in man-made items but pure black is not as common in the natural world. Many fruits or plants described as black, for example, black grapes, are in fact a deep purple or reddish colour (which may appear darker at a distance).
Full List of Things Are Black
The list below shows things that are black that you should learn to improve your English vocabulary.
- Ants
- Ash
- Asphalt
- Aye-Aye
- Black Carpet Beetle
- Black Chess Pieces
- Blackboard
- Blackie Sweet Potato Vine
- Blackmail
- Burnt Food
- Butterflies
- Cables
- Black comedy
- Black Garlic
- Black Rice
- Black Sheep
- Black Star Sapphire
- Black Quinoa
- Black Tea
- Black Tourmaline
- Bat Flower
- Bear
- Black Beans
- Black Chia Seeds
- Affenpinscher
- Calculator
- Deer
- Galloway Cow
- Giant Schnauzer
- Gorilla
- African Black Beetles
- Black Vulture
- Black Widow
- Carbon
- Charcoal
- Charcoal Bread
- Clarinet
- Indigo Rose Tomato
- Ink
- Ivory Black
- Jasper
- Coal
- Crow
- Dall’s Porpoise
- Blackball
- Blackberries
- Blackbird
- Headphones
- Black Coffee
- Black Colobus
- Black Swan
- Jet
- Judge’s Robes
- Killer Whale
- Labrador
- Dominoes
- Dyes
- Tasmanian Devil
- Tinted Windows
- Top Hat
- Tuxedo
- Papuan Black Snake
- Squid Ink Pasta
- Suit
- Witch
- Zekrom
- Tyres
- Eyebrow Pomade
- Eyeliner
- Flies
- Lamp Black
- Licorice
- Limousine
- Goth Fashion
- Formal Shoes
- Great Cormorant
- Ebony
- Black Hole
- Black List
- Black Magic Mangave
- Hair
- Lipstick
- Little Black Dress
- Marker
- Mars Black
- Mascara
- Melanistic Animals
- Nighttime
- Nori
- Oboe
- Obsidian
- Odessa Calla Lily
- Tarmac
- Umbreon
- Vampire
- Vanilla Bean
- Vantablack
- Black Piano Keys
- English Horn
- Magic
- Malayan Tapir
- Pepper
- American Oil Beetle
- Black Belt
- Black Caiman
- Persian
- Pirate Flag
- Playstation Console
- Lizards
- Onyx
- Rooks
- Sand
- Scorpion
- Scottish Terrier
- Sesame
- Shadows
- Shoe Polish
- Skunk
- Black Mamba
- Pupils
- Raven
- Red-Bellied Black Snake
- Rhinoceros Beetle
- Soil
- Soot
- Spinel
- Outer Space
- Sunglasses
- Tar
- Pansy Black Beauty
- Panther
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Pug
- Olives
- Penguin
- Western Mourning Clothes
- Panda
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