Learn how to use the comparative “blacker” and superlative “blackest” with example sentences and differences.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Comparative adjectives help us to describe how good or bad something is when compared to something else. For example, something is taller than something else. Superlative adjectives help us to describe something as having the most or least of a particular characteristic within a group. This makes it easier and more accurate to talk about and compare things.

What is the comparative form of “blackest”?

The comparative form of “blackest” is “blacker”.

Example

The night sky is blacker than coal.

Example

Her hair is blacker than the darkest night.

What is the superlative form of “blackest”?

The superlative form of “blackest” is “blackest”.

Example

Among all the colors, black is the blackest.

Example

The night was so dark that it felt like the blackest night ever.

Why is this expression not used with most, more?

'Most' and 'more' are generally not used with black, blacker, and blackest. They’re considered regular comparatives and superlatives. The forms 'more black' and 'most black' are not used because they sound awkward. Instead, blacker and blackest are the correct and preferred forms to use.

Does this expression have an irregular comparative/superlative form?

Black does not have an irregular comparative or superlative form. It follows the standard pattern for forming comparatives and superlatives. So, to summarize: Comparative: BlackBlacker Superlative: BlackBlackest

Expressions with similar meanings to “blacker”

Used to describe something that is darker in shade or color

Example

The room became darker as the sun set.

A more poetic way of describing something that is very black

Example

Her eyes were as deep and more ebony than the night sky.

more pitch-black

Used to emphasize the extreme darkness of something

Example

The cave was more pitch-black than anything they had ever seen.

Expressions with similar meanings to “blackest”

Similar to blackest, this emphasizes the extreme darkness of something

Example

The forest was so dense that it was the darkest place they had ever been.

A more poetic way of describing something that is extremely black

Example

The starless sky was the most ebony they had ever seen.

most pitch-black

Used to emphasize the extreme darkness of something

Example

The tunnel was the most pitch-black place they had ever encountered.

Using than with comparative “blacker”

When using the comparative form blacker to compare two things, you would use than to connect the two parts of the comparison: Example: "His hair is blacker than mine." Here, than is used to show that the darkness of 'his' hair is greater than the darkness of 'mine'.

How can I use this expression in context?

“blacker” and “blackest” can be used in a variety of situations to compare speed.
  • 1Night Sky

    The sky was blacker than they had ever seen before.

    The sky was blacker than they had ever seen before.

  • 2Hair Color

    Her hair was the blackest shade imaginable.

    Her hair was the blackest shade imaginable.

  • 3Dark Rooms

    The basement was blacker than a moonless night.

    The basement was blacker than a moonless night.

  • 4Shadows

    The figure lurking in the corner was the blackest shadow she had ever seen.

    The figure lurking in the corner was the blackest shadow she had ever seen.

  • 5Objects

    The obsidian stone was the blackest gem in the collection.

    The obsidian stone was the blackest gem in the collection.

Related idioms and phrases

Pitch-black

Describing something that is completely dark or lacking any light.

Example

The room was so dark that it was pitch-black.

Black as coal

Describing something that is very black in color.

Example

His hair was black as coal.

In the black

To be financially profitable or in a positive financial state.

Example

After months of hard work, the company finally turned a profit and was in the black.

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