noir
/nwaʁ/
noir is the French word for the color black.
When used as a noun to refer to the color itself, it is used with the masculine definite article: le noir.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the adjective is noire. The masculine plural form of the adjective is noirs. The feminine plural form of the adjective is noires.
How do you pronounce it?
/nwaʁ/
Did you know?
- The word noir is used in the expression être noir de jalousie, which means to be 'green with envy' in English. While English uses green, French uses the darkest color to describe the intensity of jealousy.
- A travail au noir refers to working 'under the table' or without paying taxes, literally meaning 'work in the black'.
- The term 'film noir' was not coined by the French but by American critics who used the French word noir to describe the moody 'black film' style of the 1940s.
Examples in context
- Elle porte une robe noire très élégante.She is wearing a very elegant black dress.
- Il a des cheveux noirs comme l'ébène.He has hair as black as ebony.
- J'aime porter du noir.I like wearing black.
- Le chat est tout noir.The cat is completely black.
- Il a un sac noir.He has a black bag.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are choosing a color for a new sofa.
- ChloéTu préfères quel modèle ?Which model do you prefer?
- NathanCelui-ci, en noir, est très beau.This one, in black, is very beautiful.
- ChloéOui, il est très élégant.Yes, it is very elegant.
- NathanOn le prend alors.Let's take it then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry noir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
