whiteface

[ hwahyt-feys, wahyt- ]

noun

1. a Hereford.
2. Theater.
   1. a performer, as a clown, who appears in clown white.
   2. the white facial makeup used by such a performer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiteface¹

First recorded in 1700–10; white + face

Example Sentences

“You know,” Pindell tells herself, in whiteface, “I hear your experiences and I think, well … it’s got to be in your art in a way we consider valid.”

From New York Times

Further, she criticized Chicago police for their alleged failure to investigate an online video showing one of the brothers “in whiteface doing a joke monologue with white makeup on,”

From Seattle Times

Mr. Van Peebles said that studio executives wanted a White movie star — such as Jack Lemmon — to play the role in blackface but that he persuaded them to use Black comedian Godfrey Cambridge in whiteface.

From Washington Post

This role is played by Matthew Hancock, who while delivering a sprawling monologue, applies whiteface in preparation of taking on the roles of both George and M’Closky.

From Los Angeles Times

There is whiteface, redface and blackface, along with narrative flourishes delivered by a stand-in for the playwright himself.

From Los Angeles Times