Phrase guide

black money

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • rhymes with -ʌni

1

noun

Meaning 1

Income that is not reported to a government in order to evade taxes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dirty money

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Money that is obtained illegally, especially that which circulates outside the formal financial system in the underworld.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: India, uncountable

Examples

  • In India, the government faces the issue of combating black money stashed overseas.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dirty money, boodle

Antonyms: white money

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Burmese: ငွေမည်း (ngwemany:) — (India) illegal money
  • Chinese Mandarin: 黑錢 /黑钱 (hēiqián) — (India) illegal money
  • German: Schwarzgeld — (India) illegal money
  • Gujarati: કાળું નાણું (kāḷũ nāṇũ) — (India) illegal money
  • Hindi: काला धन (kālā dhan) — (India) illegal money
  • Hindi: काला पैसा (kālā paisā) — (India) illegal money
  • Tamil: கறுப்புப்பணம் (kaṟuppuppaṇam) — (India) illegal money
  • Tamil: கள்ளப்பணம் (kaḷḷappaṇam) — (India) illegal money
  • Telugu: నల్లధనం (nalladhanaṁ) — (India) illegal money