Standard Lemma guide

brownface

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈbɹaʊnˌfeɪs/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A style of theatrical makeup in which a white person colours the face brown in order to represent somebody of another race.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From brown + face, based on earlier blackface.