film noir

[nwahr]

noun

1. a motion picture with an often grim urban setting, photographed in somber tones and permeated by a feeling of disillusionment, pessimism, and despair.

film noir

/ nwɑː /

noun

1. a gangster thriller, made esp in the 1940s in Hollywood characterized by contrasty lighting and often somewhat impenetrable plots

Word History and Origins

Origin of film noir¹

1955–60; < French: literally, black film

Word History and Origins

Origin of film noir¹

C20: French, literally: black film