black sheep
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Shameful person.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review. Figurative class: Metaphor (PIE-English corpus, CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
a "bad lot," "mauvais sujet;" sometimes "scabby sheep;" also a workman who refuses to join in a strike.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “black sheep” mean?
Shameful person.
Is “black sheep” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.