minstrel

noun

min·strel | \ ˈmin(t)-strəl

plural minstrels

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

2a : musician

b : poet

3a : 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About minstrel

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 on the Web Batiste is not a reprobate minstrel like late-night regular Lil Nas X; yet the weakness of both is held in equivalent esteem by the cultural mainstream. — Armond White, National Review, 6 Apr. 2022 The first minstrel shows mimicked enslaved Africans on Southern plantations, depicting Black people as lazy, ignorant, cowardly or hypersexual, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 3 Nov. 2021 Later, Texas Cowboys minstrel shows, first held in Hogg Auditorium in 1940 and later in Gregory Gym, featured renditions of the song in blackface. — Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Mar. 2021 Gilbert showed solid comic timing both vocally and physically as not-dead Fred, a very literal minstrel and a delicate prince. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 23 Dec. 2020 Quaker Oats retired Aunt Jemima, allowing her real-life forebearer, Nancy Green, to step out of the shadows of a minstrel past. — Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2020 Also shining in multiple roles: Scott Gilbert, who shows solid comic timing both vocally and physically as not-dead Fred, a very literal minstrel and a delicate prince. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 19 Sep. 2020 Back in June, Quaker Oats came under fire for their Aunt Jemima brand of syrup and pancake mix, which features a Black woman originally dressed as a minstrel character. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2020 The 130-year-old brand features a Black woman who was originally dressed as a minstrel character. — NBC News, 18 June 2020 See More

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.

History and Etymology for minstrel

Middle English menestral, menstral, mynstral, borrowed from Anglo-French menestral, menestrel "servant, attendant, official, workman, musical entertainer," borrowed from Medieval Latin ministeriālis "servant, functionary in a lord's household, official," going back to Late Latin, "imperial official," noun derivative of ministeriālis "serving, performing a duty" — more at ministerial