2black noun
plural blacks 1 : the dark color of coal or the night sky [noncount] ▪ The wall was painted in black. ▪ the black of night [count] ▪ a mixture of grays and blacks — see color picture 2 [noncount] : black clothing
▪ She was dressed in black. 3 [count] : a person belonging to a race of people who have dark skin : a black person ◊The singular form black in this sense is rarely used and is often considered offensive. It should be avoided. The plural form blacks is commonly used to refer to black people as a group or community.
▪ His policies are supported by both blacks and whites.
▪ She was dressed in black.
▪ His policies are supported by both blacks and whites.
in the black
: making a profit
▪ The company is finally in the black. [=the company is profitable] — compare in the red at 2red
▪ The company is finally in the black. [=the company is profitable] — compare in the red at 2red
