black-market

1 of 2

verb

black-mar·​ket ˈblak-ˈmär-kət 

black-marketed; black-marketing; black-markets

intransitive verb

: to buy or sell goods in the black market

transitive verb

: to sell in the black market

black marketer noun

or black marketeer

ˈblak-ˌmär-kə-ˈtir 

black marketeering

ˈblak-ˌmär-kə-ˈtir-iŋ 

noun

black market

2 of 2

noun

: illicit trade in goods or commodities in violation of official regulations

also : a place where such trade is carried on

Examples of black-market in a Sentence

Noun

The black market in prescription drugs is thriving.

They unloaded the stolen goods on the black market.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Moore and Qualley portray different versions of the same character in The Substance; Moore's Elisabeth Sparkle seeks out a black-market drug called The Substance after she is fired from her long-running workout television program, only to find that the drug creates a younger version of her. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025

Following Demi Moore as Elisabeth, The Substance watches this fading celebrity take advantage of a newfound black-market drug which replicates cells that temporarily create a younger version of the user. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Noun

The current approach risks unintended consequences, such as fueling black markets or displacing workers in developing economies reliant on apparel manufacturing, Mendez noted. —Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2025

Experience shows that the black market can innovate faster than legislators can legislate. —Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1727, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

black market

noun

: trade that is against government controls (as of prices or rationing)

also : the place where such trade is carried on

black marketer

-ˈmär-kət-ər

noun

or black marketeer

-ˌmär-kə-ˈti(ə)r