Preto

Preto is the Portuguese word for black, the darkest color in the visible spectrum. It describes objects that absorb most visible light and reflect very little, and it is used to name materials, fabrics, animals, and people with dark coloration (for example, cabelo preto, tinta preta). In design and art, preto is a fundamental color term used to convey depth, contrast, and form.

In color theory, black can be produced in two ways: in light-based models, it is the absence of light; in pigment-based systems, it results from mixing pigments that absorb most wavelengths. In printing and publishing, preto corresponds to the black ink used in CMYK processes (often labeled K).

Preto also appears as a surname and as a toponym in Portuguese-speaking regions; places and families bearing the name Preto are found in Brazil and Portugal. In social and cultural contexts, the word is used in discussions of race and ethnicity, with meanings and connotations that vary by region and era and alongside terms such as negro.