pitch black

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pitch black" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe darkness, typically in a dramatic or exaggerated manner. For example, "The room was pitch black, not even a sliver of light showing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

They're pitch black.

Independent

The water was pitch black.

The New York Times

It was pitch black.

The New York Times - Travel

It's pitch black outside.

The New Yorker

And the plane went pitch black.

The New York Times

Stairwells and hallways were pitch black.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Then-BOOM -pitch black.

Huffington Post

Pitch-black inside.

The New Yorker

It's night, pitch-black.

The New York Times

It was pitch-black inside.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was pitch-black in our room.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pitch black" to create a vivid and dramatic image of darkness, particularly when emphasizing a sense of fear, mystery, or disorientation. For example, "The forest was pitch black, making it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead."

Common error

Avoid using "pitch black" when describing something that is simply dark or dimly lit. The phrase is most effective when conveying an extreme absence of light. For example, saying "The dimly lit room was pitch black" is inaccurate and weakens the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pitch black" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective, modifying a noun to indicate the extreme absence of light. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's used to intensify the sense of darkness in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pitch black" is a descriptive adjective used to convey an extreme absence of light. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media, it effectively evokes a sense of mystery or disorientation. While alternatives like "completely dark" exist, "pitch black" adds vividness. When using the phrase, remember to employ it in contexts that genuinely reflect total darkness to maintain its impact. This phrase is more evocative than similar phrases like 'very dark' or 'dark as night'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely dark

Emphasizes the total absence of light, similar to "pitch black" but without the intensity.

utterly black

Highlights the completeness of the blackness, akin to "pitch black" in its intensity.

jet black

Focuses on the color black itself being intense, while "pitch black" is more about the absence of light.

inky black

Evokes a sense of darkness similar to ink, less intense than "pitch black".

coal black

Compares the darkness to the color of coal, implying a deep, rich black.

total darkness

A more literal and less evocative way of saying "pitch black".

absence of light

A scientific and neutral way to describe the same phenomenon.

no light at all

A straightforward description of the lack of light.

dark as night

Relates the darkness to nighttime, a common comparison.

black as ink

Similar to inky black, it focuses on the color rather than the absence of light.

FAQs

How can I use "pitch black" in a sentence?

Use "pitch black" to describe a scene or object with complete absence of light. For example, "The cave was "completely dark", and it was "pitch black" inside".

What's the difference between "pitch black" and "dark"?

"Dark" is a general term for the absence of light, while "pitch black" describes an extreme or total absence of light. Think of "pitch black" as the most intense form of darkness.

Which is more descriptive, "pitch black" or "very dark"?

"Pitch black" is more descriptive because it's a vivid idiom. "Very dark" is a simple statement. Using the idiom creates a stronger image.

What can I say instead of "pitch black"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "completely dark", "utterly black", or "jet black" to convey a similar meaning.