noire

2 8.7

A style that is dark and mysterious, often seen in art or film

adjective
/nɔr/

Literature

: noir

Her paintings have a distinctly noire atmosphere, evoking feelings of mystery and intrigue.

Examples

The film had a noire atmosphere that captivated the audience.
Critics praised the noire elements in the novel, noting its dark and moody tone.
The director is known for his noire approach to storytelling, filled with shadows and suspense.
Many artists are drawn to the noire aesthetic in their work.
The director is known for his noire approach to storytelling, filled with shadows and suspense.
Her paintings have a distinctly noire atmosphere, evoking feelings of mystery and intrigue.
Critics praised the noire elements in the novel, noting its dark and moody tone.

Synonyms

black

vsnoire

430 7.5

Having evil or cruel qualities

is about a specific aesthetic mood in art and film rather than moral judgment

dark

vsnoire

430 1.0

Feeling gloomy and sad

is a term applied to a distinctive cynical visual or narrative style

darksome

vsnoire

Archaic

1 9.9

Dark and gloomy in a way that makes you feel uncertain or afraid

is a stylistic term for pessimistic mystery in art and film

atramentous

vsnoire

Archaic

1 9.9

Very dark, almost black, in color or very sad and gloomy

focuses on a named artistic style rather than literal color or sadness

darkling

vsnoire

Archaic

1 9.9

Dark and shadowy in a way that feels frightening

is used as a stylistic label for pessimistic art and film

Compounds

bete noire

1 9.9

A person or thing that people strongly dislike and avoid

How Dark

nihilistic

7 9.5

noire

Literature

2 8.7

dark

430 1.0

shadowy

1 5.1

Surface Forms

noire positive

Etymology

The word noire comes from the French word noir, which means 'black'. So when a film, story, or painting is called noire, it suggests a dark, shadowy, and moody style, just like the color black gives a feeling of mystery.