black belt
Martial arts pinnacle
A black belt is the highest rank in martial arts like judo, karate, and taekwondo, signified by wearing a belt of that color.
By extension, a black belt is a person who has achieved this rank: She's a black belt in jiu-jitsu.
Figuratively, it suggests expert-level mastery: He's a black belt in office politics. (Capitalized Black Belt refers to a region of the American South.)
Japanese unarmed combat discipline
- taekwondoKorean striking martial art
- judoJapanese throwing discipline
- aikidoThrowing art using redirection
- jiu-jitsuJapanese submission-based combat
kung fu · dojo · sensei · dan · gi · kata · sparring · grappling
Martial arts proficiency level
- degreeUnit of measurement
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- gradingAssigning marks to work
- testEvaluative examination
examination · certification · progression · advancement · stripes · hierarchy · grandmaster · master
Highly skilled practitioner
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
- experiencedHaving practical knowledge gained
technique · competent · veteran · advanced · rank · achievement · certification · demonstration
Highly skilled practitioner
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- masteryComplete skill or control
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
specialist · guru · pro · ace · adept · virtuoso · skilled · seasoned
Developing abilities through practice
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- focusConcentrated attention point
commitment · drill · patience · consistency · self-control · concentration · routine · repetition
karate
Japanese unarmed combat discipline
- taekwondoKorean striking martial art
- judoJapanese throwing discipline
- aikidoThrowing art using redirection
jiu-jitsu · kung fu · dojo · sensei · dan · gi · kata · sparring · grappling · striking
dan
Martial arts proficiency level
test · examination · certification · progression · advancement · stripes · hierarchy · grandmaster · master · junior
expert
Highly skilled practitioner
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
experienced · technique · competent · veteran · advanced · rank · achievement · certification · demonstration · precision
expert
Highly skilled practitioner
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- masteryComplete skill or control
- proficiencySkilled performance level
accomplished · specialist · guru · pro · ace · adept · virtuoso · skilled · seasoned · credentialed
training
Developing abilities through practice
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
focus · commitment · drill · patience · consistency · self-control · concentration · routine · repetition · meditation
waist
Torso's narrowest circumference
tied · knot · worn · faded · frayed · embroidered · presentation · ceremony · awarded · cloth
- fightersboxer, boxers, wrestler, Muhammad Ali, fighter
- martial arts filmskung fu, karate, ninja, samurai, wuxia
- Santa costumeSanta hat, white beard, red coat, fake beard, red cap
- belts
- skillsskills, skill, ability, abilities, competencies
- achievementsaccomplishment, achievement, accomplishments, achievements, triumph
black beltwhite belt
Lowest martial arts rank
novice · beginner · yellow belt · untrained · first-timer
black, belt, blacken, belts, belted, blackness, blacks, blackest, blackish