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

The gap between the official and black-market exchange rates is widening. —Carlos Valdez and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024

The story of a celebrity using a black-market drug to create a younger version of herself certainly isn't your typical Academy fare, but that’s exactly how the Oscar-less Moore could shake up the awards race this fall. —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024

Noun

Critics warn of potential abuse and the possibility of a black market. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

What was harder to foresee was the black market’s roaring growth in the shadow of that legalization. —Lavanya Ramanathan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

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