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
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
The Exceptions Quiz III
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share minstrel
Time Traveler for minstrel
The first known use of minstrel was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century