Meaning & use
a black belt
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A high rank in martial arts, or a person who has earned this rank.
Grammar: Use 'a black belt in' plus the sport: 'She is a black belt in karate.'
Patterns
- a black belt in something
- be a black belt
- earn a black belt
He earned a black belt in judo after years of training.
My cousin is a black belt and teaches self-defense classes.
She got her black belt at the age of sixteen.
nouncountable
The actual black-colored belt worn as a symbol of this rank.
Grammar: Often used with 'wear' or 'put on': 'He put on his black belt before the match.'
Patterns
- wear a black belt
- put on a black belt
- tie a black belt
The instructor wore a black belt around his waist.
She tied her black belt tightly before stepping onto the mat.
His black belt was faded from years of use.
Word forms
| plural | black belts |
|---|
Common combinations
- earn a black belt
- It takes years to earn a black belt in aikido.
- a black belt in karate
- She has a black belt in karate.
- black belt holder
- The dojo has several black belt holders as instructors.
- first-degree black belt
- He is a first-degree black belt.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dan
- In Japanese martial arts, 'dan' is the rank itself; a black belt is the visible symbol of the first dan and above.
Word family
- belt noun
- A strip of material worn around the waist; a black belt is a specific kind of belt.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The standard pattern is 'a black belt in' a martial art. 'Of', 'on', and 'at' are not used in this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a black belt”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.