Phrase guide

in black and white

prep_phrase · 3 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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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Explicitly, in writing, clearly and without doubt or misunderstanding, without any grey areas.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I'll believe that when I see it in black and white.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Using shades of gray rather than color.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

Examples

  • This film was shot in black and white.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

Having it displayed using shades of gray rather than color (as it was shot or recorded).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • to watch color films in black and white

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: mustaa valkoisella — explicitly
  • French: noir sur blanc — explicitly
  • German: schwarz auf weiß — explicitly
  • Italian: nero su bianco — explicitly
  • Polish: czarno na białym — explicitly
  • Portuguese: preto no branco — explicitly
  • Russian: чёрным по белому (čórnym po belomu) — explicitly
  • Spanish: negro sobre blanco — explicitly
  • Swedish: svart på vitt — explicitly
  • Vietnamese: giấy trắng mực đen — explicitly
  • Welsh: ar ddu a gwyn — explicitly
  • Welsh: mewn du a gwyn — explicitly
  • French: en noir et blanc — using shades of gray
  • Galician: en branco e negro — using shades of gray
  • Polish: w bieli i czerni — using shades of gray
  • Portuguese: em preto e branco — using shades of gray
  • Portuguese: a preto e branco — using shades of gray
  • Russian: чёрно-белый (čórno-belyj) — using shades of gray
  • Spanish: en blanco y negro — using shades of gray
  • Swedish: svartvitt — using shades of gray