sable

1 of 2

noun

sa·​ble ˈsā-bəl 

plural sables

1

a

: the color black

b

: black clothing worn in mourning

—usually used in plural

2

a or plural sable

(1)

: a carnivorous mammal (Martes zibellina) of the weasel family that occurs chiefly in northern Asia

(2)

: any of various animals related to the sable

b

: the fur or pelt of a sable

3

: the usually dark brown color of the fur of the sable

sable

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of the color black

2

: dark, gloomy

Synonyms

Adjective

• black
• ebony
• pitch-black
• pitch-dark
• pitchy
• raven

Examples of sable in a Sentence

Noun

a brush made of sable

Adjective

a beautiful sable cat

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The cats are also consumers of the smallest of the bigger, bulkier antelopes, such as sables and kudus, and are known to gnaw on the occasional rabbit or bird. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2023

Natural bristles are sourced from animal fur (squirrels, sables, goats, etc.), which can be difficult to acquire and more labor-intensive — thus, the higher price tag. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023

Adjective

Dinner included a filet and salmon duet entrée, as well as a chocolate mousse and roasted almond sponge with brown butter sable and caramelized nuts as desserts. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2024

Now, a new generation of curators and conservators are working on the Throne, and their cozy laboratory at the museum, filled with magnifiers, sable brushes and purple nitrile gloves, is open to the public a few afternoons each week. —Jeff MacGregor, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Middle Low German sabel sable or its fur, from Middle High German zobel, of Slav origin; akin to Russian sobol' sable or its fur

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sable

noun

sa·​ble

ˈsā-bəl

plural sables

1

: the color black

2

a

or plural sable : a meat-eating mammal of northern Europe and Asia related to the martens and valued for its soft rich brown fur

b

: the fur or pelt of a sable

sable adjective