Other definitions for black-and-white (2 of 2)

black-and-white
[ blak-uhn-hwahyt, -wahyt ]

adjective
  1. displaying only black and white tones; without color, as a picture or chart: a black-and-white photograph.

  2. partly black and partly white; made up of separate areas or design elements of black and white: black-and-white shoes.

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a two-valued system, as of logic or morality; absolute: To those who think in black-and-white terms, a person must be either entirely good or entirely bad.

Origin of black-and-white

2
First recorded in 1590–1600

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use black and white in a sentence

  • So Regis Brugiere stole Jim, the black-and-white setter, and concealed him well.

    Blazed Trail Stories | Stewart Edward White
  • There were two black-and-white arched stripes across the forehead, and a yellow curving line across each cheek under the eye.

  • Gibson was perfectly at home in black-and-white, but rarely (and feebly) used colours.

  • Then the phrase, like a black-and-white flower, rolled back its thundering petals, and the masterpiece was born.

    The Devourers | Annie Vivanti Chartres
  • Most birds of the waterside seem to find that black-and-white feathers make a good disguise.

    On the Seashore | R. Cadwallader Smith

British Dictionary definitions for black-and-white

black-and-white

noun
    • a photograph, picture, sketch, etc, in black, white, and shades of grey rather than in colour

    • (as modifier): black-and-white film

  1. the neutral tones of black, white, and intermediate shades of grey: Compare colour (def. 2)

  1. in black and white

    • in print or writing

    • in extremes: he always saw things in black and white

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with black and white

black and white

A monochromatic picture, drawing, television image, computer monitor, or film, as opposed to one using many colors, as in Photos in black and white fade less than those taken with color film. [Late 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.