- black sheep
- noun1. a reckless and unprincipled reprobate• Syn: ↑scapegrace2. sheep with a black coat• Hypernyms: ↑sheep
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noun1. : a recessive black-fleeced individual in a flock of normally white-fleeced sheep — compare melanism 1a2. : a member of a group that stands in conspicuous and unfavorable contrast to the other members especially by reason of socially undesirable characteristics or behaviorhe's the black sheep of his family
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1. a sheep with black fleece.2. a person who causes shame or embarrassment because of deviation from the accepted standards of his or her group.[1785-95]* * *
black sheep nounA disreputable member of a family or group• • •Main Entry: ↑black————————black sheepThe disreputable member of a family or group• • •Main Entry: ↑sheep* * *
someone who is not approved of by the other members of their family or the group they belong to because they are thought to behave badlyThesaurus: general words for family membershyponym* * *
black sheep,a worthless member of a respectable family; scoundrel.* * *
n. informal a member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to themthe black sheep of the family
Origin:late 18th cent.: from the proverb there is a black sheep in every flock* * *
noun, pl ⋯ sheep [count]: someone who does not fit in with the rest of a group and is often considered to be a troublemaker or an embarrassmentShe was the black sheep of the family.
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a person who is different from the rest of their family or another group, and who is considered bad or embarrassing•
the black sheep of the family
Word Origin:[black sheep] late 18th cent.: from the proverb there is a black sheep in every flock.* * *
black sheepsee sheep.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.