black coffee

Meaning

Coffee served without any added milk, cream, sugar, or sweeteners. It is a popular, simple beverage enjoyed hot or iced.

Examples

• I usually start my morning with a strong cup of black coffee.

  I usually start my morning with a strong cup of black coffee.

• He drinks black coffee because he is trying to cut down on sugar.

  He drinks black coffee because he is trying to cut down on sugar.

• Would you like some milk, or do you prefer black coffee?

  Would you like some milk, or do you prefer black coffee?

• I cannot drink black coffee; it tastes too bitter for me.

  I cannot drink black coffee; it tastes too bitter for me.

• She ordered a large black coffee and a blueberry muffin.

  She ordered a large black coffee and a blueberry muffin.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I drink coffee blackly.

  ✓ I drink black coffee. / I drink my coffee black.

  'Black' is used as an adjective to describe the coffee, not as an adverb ('blackly').

• ✗ Can I have a dark coffee, please?

  ✓ Can I have a black coffee, please?

  In English, coffee served without milk is always called 'black coffee'. 'Dark coffee' is not a standard term, though 'dark roast' refers to the bean type.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I don't like milk or sugar, so just a ___ for me, please.

  💡 Plain coffee without any additives.

  Show answer

  black coffee

• He says that drinking ___ helps him stay focused at work.

  💡 Bitter, dark morning beverage.

  Show answer

  black coffee