The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word COAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
O
A
L
More clues leading to the result COAL
- Fuel that’s firm and pale in the middle
- Fuel company with a shortfall finally
- Everyone going short after business is slack, perhaps
- Porter, possibly, outside a large house where nuts may be stored
- Black rocks rolling around inside viola, occasionally
- It’s black and pink, lacking resistance
- One in grip of depression, nuts maybe
- Fossil fuel in eyeliner, we’re told
- A warm glow from this business on a lake
- Pass round a traditional New Year’s gift
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "It’s black" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case it’s black = coal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does COAL mean?
COAL noun- A black rock formed from prehistoric plant remains, composed largely of carbon and burned as a fuel.
- A piece of coal used for burning (this use is less common in American English)
- A type of coal, such as bituminous, anthracite, or lignite, and grades and varieties thereof.
- A glowing or charred piece of coal, wood, or other solid fuel.
- Charcoal.
- To take on a supply of coal (usually of steam ships).
- To supply with coal.
- To be converted to charcoal.
- To burn to charcoal; to char.
- To mark or delineate with charcoal.