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Pitch Black for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: pɪʧ_blæk

What does Pitch Black really mean?

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Pitch black is an expression we use to describe a situation when everything around us is enveloped in complete darkness. It's like a deep, deep darkness that makes it almost impossible for us to see anything at all. Have you ever been in a place where there are no light sources and you can't even make out shapes or objects in front of you? That's what we mean when we say pitch black.

Imagine being in a room so dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face. It can be quite scary, don't you think? That's how the expression "pitch black" can make us feel sometimes. It's like being surrounded by an absence of light and a sense of uncertainty, where our eyes struggle to make sense of our surroundings.

The word "pitch" here doesn't refer to the sticky black substance we might associate with that word. Instead, it comes from the Old English word "pic" or "picc," which means "pitch" or "tar." This dark, sticky substance that used to be used to seal the seams of boats was also known for its dark color. So, when we say something is "pitch black," we're suggesting that it is as dark as pitch or tar.

Now, let's think about a night sky. When there are no clouds, and the moon and stars aren't visible, what happens? The sky becomes pitch black, doesn't it? It's a sight where there is minimal or no light to guide us. So, "pitch black" also refers to the darkness we experience during nighttime, especially when there is no moonlight or streetlights around to brighten things up.

In another sense, "pitch black" can also describe a space or a room that has been deliberately made dark, for example, during a movie. Have you been in a movie theater when all the lights are turned off, and the screen is the only source of light? That's also what we mean by "pitch black." The room is intentionally darkened to enhance the experience of watching a movie, and it adds to the suspense and excitement.

In conclusion, "pitch black" is all about being in complete darkness, where there is no light at all, making it challenging for us to see anything. It can be like standing in a room so dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face or looking up at the night sky during a moonless night. This expression can also describe deliberately darkened spaces during events like movie screenings.

Revised and Fact checked by Olivia Davis on 2023-10-29 21:06:15

Pitch Black In a sentece

Learn how to use Pitch Black inside a sentece

  • When the power went out at night, the room became pitch black.
  • During a total solar eclipse, the sky turns pitch black for a few minutes.
  • The inside of a deep cave is pitch black because no sunlight can reach in.
  • If you close your eyes tightly, you might see pitch black as there will be no light entering your eyes.
  • In the middle of the dense forest at nighttime, it can be pitch black due to the absence of streetlights.

Pitch Black Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Pitch Black Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.