a medieval wandering musician who performed songs or recited poetry with instrumental accompaniment a performer in a minstrel show any poet, musician, or singer
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
min•strel /ˈmɪnstrəl/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Literaturea medieval poet, singer, and musician, who either traveled from place to place to perform, or was a member of a noble household.
- Music and Dancea musician, singer, or poet.
min•strel
(min′strəl),USA pronunciation n.
- Music and Dance, Literaturea medieval poet and musician who sang or recited while accompanying himself on a stringed instrument, either as a member of a noble household or as an itinerant troubadour.
- Music and Dancea musician, singer, or poet.
- Show Businessone of a troupe of comedians, usually white men made up as black performers, presenting songs, jokes, etc.
- Late Latin ministeriālis servant (noun, nominal use of adjective, adjectival); see ministerial
- Old French
- Middle English ministrel 1175–1225
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