Word
blackface
Phoneticsblack·face
UK/blˈækfeɪs/
Definition
n. the act of a person with light skin wearing makeup to look like a person with dark skin. It is a very offensive and racist act that makes fun of Black people.
n. the practice of applying makeup to one's face to appear to be a member of a racial group with dark skin, typically for comedic effect. Highly offensive and historically associated with systemic racism.
Examples
“The performance was criticized for using blackface.”
“Many modern theater productions have stopped using blackface to avoid hurting the feelings of the audience.”
“The use of blackface in early twentieth-century cinema is now widely regarded as a deeply offensive representation of Black culture, reflecting the era's pervasive racial stereotypes.”
Examples
simple
“The performance was criticized for using blackface.”
contextual
“Many modern theater productions have stopped using blackface to avoid hurting the feelings of the audience.”
complex
“The use of blackface in early twentieth-century cinema is now widely regarded as a deeply offensive representation of Black culture, reflecting the era's pervasive racial stereotypes.”
Real-World Examples
“It was the first time, on that stage, that Shakespeare’s Black lead was played by a Black actor – as opposed to a white one in blackface makeup.” Etymology
From black + face.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/blackface