Definition of minstrel
1 : one of a class of medieval musical entertainers; especially : a singer of verses to the accompaniment of a harp wandering minstrels
3a : any of a troupe of performers typically giving a program of black American melodies, jokes, and impersonations and usually wearing blackfaceb : a performance by a troupe of minstrels
From the M-W Editors
Examples of minstrel in a Sentence
Edna St. Vincent Millay was unofficially the minstrel of Maine, as her poetry celebrates its coast and countryside.
Recent Examples of minstrel from the Web
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Medieval Midsomer Festival PLAN AHEAD Celebrate Midsomer with a 14th century village in England, minstrels, magic, crafts, noon-5 p.m. June 24-25, Camlann Medieval Village, Carnation; $6-$10 (425-788-8624 or camlann.org/midsomer%20festival.htm).
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Circuses, tent revivals, minstrel shows, magicians and more could credit Hatch Show Print for helping pack venues.
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One of the best has to do with his henpeckedshoe-salesman father, who briefly frees himself from his wife’s suffocating influence by taking the part of Mr. Bones in a minstrel show.
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A gothic minstrel enters carrying a black electric guitar.
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After the deed is done, the queen agrees to marry the murderous brother, but on the eve of the wedding, a minstrel finds a piece of the dead brother’s bone in the forest.
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Paul and Storm, dressed as minstrels, opened the show and inserted various themes at appropriate (and inappropriate) times.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'minstrel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of minstrel
Middle English menestrel, from Anglo-French menestral official, servant, minstrel, from Late Latin ministerialis imperial household officer, from Latin ministerium service, from minister servant — more at minister
Other Performing Arts Terms
MINSTREL Defined for English Language Learners
minstrel
playDefinition of minstrel for English Language Learners
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: a musical entertainer in the Middle Ages
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: a member of a group of entertainers who performed black American songs and jokes usually with blackened faces
MINSTREL Defined for Kids
minstrel
playDefinition of minstrel for Students
1 : a musical entertainer in the Middle Ages
2 : a member of a group of entertainers who performed black American melodies and jokes with blackened faces in the 19th and early 20th centuries
Learn More about minstrel
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for minstrel Spanish Central: Translation of minstrel Nglish: Translation of minstrel for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about minstrel
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