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Definition of black mamba
black mamba
Plural:black mambas
• noun
1
A large, fast-moving, and highly venomous elapid snake native to the savannas and rocky hills of sub-Saharan Africa, notable for its olive to gray coloration and the distinctively ink-black interior of its mouth.
Example
"During the wildlife documentary, the biologist carefully demonstrated how the black mamba uses its speed to navigate the dense African brush."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for black mambaWord Nuance & Usage
Although the name implies a black exterior, the snake's scales typically range from olive to grayish-brown; the name refers strictly to the ink-black interior of its mouth, which it exposes when threatened.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Black mamba. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/black%20mamba