Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

blackface

/ˈblækˌfeɪs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.88 in modern English

Syllables: black-face
IPA: /ˈblækˌfeɪs/

22

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The practice in which a nonblack person blackens their face using theatrical makeup in order to portray a caricature of a black person.

Uncountable

noun

A sheep of the Scottish Blackface breed.

Countable

noun

Synonym of boldface.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Alternative letter-case form of blackface.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Soberano hit back at Instagram comments, writing, "This is not any form of blackface." But has since backtracked."
"The laboratory procedure in the most important tests and methods is printed in blackface type for convenience of reference."
"There is no excuse for donning Blackface."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *blakaz Proto-West Germanic *blak Old English blæc Middle English blak English black Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁k- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *dʰh₁kyéti Proto-Italic *θakjō Proto-Italic *fakjō Latin faciō Proto-Italic *-jēs Latin -iēs Latin faciēs Late Latin facia Old French facebor. Middle English face English face English blackface From black + face.

Usage

Inflected Forms

blackfaces (plural)

Derived Forms

blackfaced blackfacing womanface

Phrases

digital blackface vocal blackface

Frequently Paired Words

blackfish blackwash brownface redface whiteface yellowface Jewface gayface

Synonyms

boldface

Questions

How do you pronounce blackface?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈblækˌfeɪs/.
What does blackface mean?: The practice in which a nonblack person blackens their face using theatrical makeup in order to portray a caricature of a black person.
Where does blackface come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *blakaz Proto-West Germanic *blak Old English blæc Middle English blak English black Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁k- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *dʰh₁kyéti Proto-Italic *θakjō Proto-Italic *fakjō Latin faciō Proto-Italic *-jēs Latin -iēs Latin faciēs Late Latin facia Old French facebor. Middle English face English face English blackface From black + face.

How to pronounce blackface

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “blackface”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈblækˌfeɪs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “blackface”.
Repeat and practice — Say “blackface” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.