noir
word
Definition
'Noir' is a French word meaning 'black'. In English, it refers to a style of crime fiction or movies featuring dark, cynical, and morally ambiguous stories, often set in a gritty urban environment.
Usage & Nuances
Often used with 'film' ('film noir') or to describe books, movies, or TV shows with dark themes. It's formal/neutral and borrowed from French; don't use it to just mean 'black' in color outside this context. Associated with 1940s-50s crime stories, but also used for modern works ('neo-noir').
Example Sentences
She loves reading noir novels at night.
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The new show is a modern noir series.
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Classic noir movies often have mysterious detectives.
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I'm really into old-school noir—the mood is unbeatable.
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His new novel captures all the tension of a true noir story.
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You can't call it noir without some moral ambiguity and shadows everywhere.
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