film noir

noun

plural film noirs -ˈnwär(z) How to pronounce film noir (audio) or films noir or films noirs -ˈnwär How to pronounce film noir (audio)
: a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music
also : a film of this type

Examples of film noir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The heist plot allows for the action, adventure and suspense to come into play, as well as the aforementioned Tom Cruise references, along with nods to film noir and early silent films (there are a lot of sequences set on trains). Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2024 Billed under her stage name, Kathryn Grant, the Houston native made five features for famed film noir director Phil Karlson, including Tight Spot (1955), The Phenix City Story (1955) and The Brothers Rico (1957). Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2024 The trailer looks like a Criterion film noir collection highlight reel, what with the high contrast monochromatic palette and moody puddles reflecting the mean streets of New York. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024 Darren bowed on television as a guest star in the drama anthology The Web and built his resume with roles on the big screen in comedy Operation Mad Ball, film noir entry The Brothers Rio, drama The Tijuana Story, all in 1957, and western Gunman’s Walk in 1958. Marc Berman, Forbes, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for film noir 

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, black film

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of film noir was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near film noir

Cite this Entry

“Film noir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/film%20noir. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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