minstrel
noun
min·strel
ˈmin(t)-strəl
plural minstrels
1
: one of a class of medieval musical entertainers
especially
: a singer of verses to the accompaniment of a harp
wandering minstrels
3
a
: a member of a type of performance troupe caricaturing Black performers that originated in the U.S. in the early 19th century
Note: The acts of minstrels, who typically performed in blackface, featured exaggerated and inaccurate representations of Black people in songs, dances, and comic dialogue. The popularity of minstrel shows in their heyday played a significant role in promoting negative racial stereotypes. Professional minstrel shows had fallen out of favor and effectively disappeared by the mid-20th century.
b
: a performance by a troupe of minstrels : a minstrel show
Cite this Entry
“Minstrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minstrel. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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