Definition

A type of snake that is mostly dark in color and is usually nonvenomous, including species like the black racer and black rat snake found in North America.

Example

We spotted a blacksnake slithering through the grass during our hike.

Conversation

Did you see that blacksnake in the garden yesterday?

Yeah, I did! I thought it was just a shadow at first.

I was surprised to learn that it's nonvenomous, though.

Same here! They're actually pretty common around here.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'blacksnake' is formed from 'black' (from Old English 'blæc', meaning dark or the color black) and 'snake' (from Old English 'snaca', meaning serpent or snake). The term 'blacksnake' refers to a snake that is black in color.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'black' meaning dark and 'snake' referring to a serpent. This helps you remember that a 'blacksnake' is a dark-colored serpent.

Visually Confused Words