black-and-white

[ blak-uh n-hwahyt, -wahyt ]

/ ˈblæk ənˈʰwaɪt, -ˈwaɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR black-and-white ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

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

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.

Words nearby black-and-white

black, hugo, black-a-vised, black-and-blue, black-and-tan, black-and-tan terrier, black-and-white, black-backed gull, black-bag, black-bag job, black-bellied plover, black-billed cuckoo

Origin of black-and-white

First recorded in 1590–1600

Definition for black-and-white (2 of 2)

black and white

noun

black(def 33).

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for black-and-white

This whole thing about a black-and-white culture of knee-jerk reactions is reinforced by television.
James Patterson Goes Full ‘Fahrenheit 451’ With Burning Book Video|William O’Connor|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Having sufficiently wet ourselves, we viewers are left with a chilling, black-and-white image of blood circling the shower drain.
Sex, Blood and Maroon 5: Pop Culture’s Wounds Run Deep|Lizzie Crocker|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They have even put a black-and-white picture of Kate Middleton looking stressed and worried on the front cover.
Newsweek's Nonsense "Who'd Be Kate" Survey|Tom Sykes|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He dropped a few hints about the “small,” “idiosyncratic” black-and-white movie that he will shoot after he finishes Crimson Peak.
Guillermo del Toro on Hardcore Gothic ‘Crimson Peak’ and ‘Pacific Rim 2’|Andrew Romano|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The cross slowly (and in black-and-white) falls to the ground as we are told that religious freedom is under attack in America.
Rick Santorum’s Hobby Lobby Horror Movie|Dean Obeidallah|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The blinds of the house were closed, and from the door-knob hung the black-and-white token of mourning.
The American Missionary -- Volume 39, No. 03, March, 1885|Various
He was talking to one of the porters, and his broad, black-and-white check back was towards us.
Miss Million's Maid|Bertha Ruck
The black-and-white banner of skunk-kind is a huge bushy resplendent tail, sometimes as wide as it is long.
Everyday Adventures|Samuel Scoville
"You seem to be all black-and-white men here," remarked Ewing.
Ewing\'s Lady|Harry Leon Wilson
The lynx paused, and glanced up into a tree, as if suddenly interested in the flittings of a black-and-white woodpecker.
Hoof and Claw|Charles G. D. Roberts

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

the neutral tones of black, white, and intermediate shades of greyCompare colour (def. 2)

in black and white

in print or writing
in extremeshe 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

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]

Also, black or white. Involving a very clear distinction, without any gradations. For example, He tended to view everything as a black and white issue—it was either right or wrong—whereas his partner always found gray areas. This usage is based on the association of black with evil and white with virtue, which dates back at least 2,000 years. [Early 1800s] Also see gray area.

in black and white. Written down or in print, and therefore official. For example, The terms of our agreement were spelled out in black and white, so there should be no question about it. This term alludes to black ink or print on white paper. Shakespeare used it in Much Ado about Nothing (5:1). [Late 1500s]

black-and-white

adjective

Content related to black-and-white

Words related to black-and-white

Words nearby black-and-white

Origin of black-and-white

Definition for black-and-white (2 of 2)

noun

Examples from the Web for black-and-white

British Dictionary definitions for black-and-white

noun

Idioms and Phrases with black-and-white