0%

blackface

black·face
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [blak-feys]
    • /ˈblækˌfeɪs/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [blak-feys]
    • /ˈblækˌfeɪs/

Definitions of blackface word

  • noun blackface a performer made up to imitate a Black person 3
  • noun blackface the make-up used by such a performer, usually consisting of burnt cork 3
  • noun blackface a breed of sheep having a dark face 3
  • adjective blackface having a black or blackened face 3
  • noun blackface black makeup used by a performer, as in a minstrel show 3
  • noun blackface Theater. an entertainer, especially in a minstrel or vaudeville show, made up in the role of a black person. By the mid-20th century, these entertainers had declined in popularity because their comic portrayal of negative racial stereotypes was considered offensive. the facial makeup, as burnt cork, used in this role: They performed in blackface. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of blackface

First appearance:

before 1695
One of the 49% oldest English words
First recorded in 1695-1705; black + face

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Blackface

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

blackface popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 63% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

blackface usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for blackface

noun blackface

  • makeup — facial cosmetics, as eye shadow or lipstick.
  • clown white — white facial makeup used by performers, as clowns.
  • greasepaint — an oily mixture of melted tallow or grease and a pigment, used by actors, clowns, etc., for making up their faces.

Top questions with blackface

  • what is blackface?
  • why is blackface offensive?
  • what does blackface mean?
  • why is blackface racist?
  • why is blackface bad?
  • who is blackface?
  • what does blackface refer to?
  • why blackface is wrong?
  • why did al jolson wear blackface?
  • what is blackface and why is it racist?
  • how to do blackface makeup?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?