pitch-black

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From pitch (“tar”) +‎ black. Compare West Frisian pikswart (literally “pitch-black”), Dutch pikzwart (literally “pitch-black”), German pechschwarz (literally “pitch-black”), Swedish becksvart (literally “pitch-black”), Icelandic biksvartur (literally “pitch-black”).

Adjective

pitch-black (comparative more pitch-black, superlative most pitch-black)

  1. Very dark; without light.
    Synonyms: black as coal, black as tar, black as night

Usage notes

  • Sometimes, pitch is treated as if it means "intense" or "dark", leading to the alternative superlative pitchest-black.

Translations

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