blackface

noun

black·​face ˈblak-ˌfās 

often attributive

1

: dark makeup worn to mimic the appearance of a Black person and especially to mock or ridicule Black people

Note: The wearing of blackface by white performers was, from the early 19th through the mid-20th centuries, a prominent feature of minstrel shows (see minstrel sense 3a) and similar forms of entertainment featuring exaggerated and inaccurate caricatures of Black people. The use of blackface is considered deeply offensive.

2

plural blackfaces : a performer wearing blackface : minstrel sense 3a

Examples of blackface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The New York Republican has previously faced scrutiny after a photo emerged of him dressed in blackface, in a Michael Jackson costume, nearly 20 years ago. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

In 2020, a clip resurfaced of a Season 25 sketch in which Jimmy Fallon wore blackface to play Chris Rock. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025

Interestingly, Torres’s Oscar campaign has also faced a (smaller) dose of scandal: The actress has apologized for wearing blackface in a Brazilian TV comedy sketch 17 years ago. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025

And there also is this blackface that is supposed to be a celebration or acknowledgement of Milchick’s difference. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing blackface

• digital blackface

Rhymes for blackface

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase
• crankcase