1
: farmer, countryman
2
: a rude ill-bred person : boor
3
a
: a fool, jester, or comedian in an entertainment (such as a play)
specifically
: a grotesquely dressed comedy performer in a circus
b
: a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoon
c
clowned; clowning; clowns
: to act as or like a clown
always clowning around
Examples of clown in a Sentence
Noun
Those big shoes make you look like a clown!
Who's the clown standing in the middle of the road?
those clowns at the state capital
Verb
as a youngster he was always clowning around in the classroom
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Wang, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025
These clowns dressed as presidents appear immature and narcissistic.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2025
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
The car door opened, and a comical number of dancers streamed out—another reference to clowning.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
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Noun
Robert Pattinson recalls lying on live TV about seeing clown die in car explosion as a kid: 'What on Earth?'
Pattinson also surprised audiences at the convention, making an unannounced appearance alongside his director.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025
These clowns dressed as presidents appear immature and narcissistic.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
He was clowned for his efforts at making Buzelis sound cool.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
The car door opened, and a comical number of dancers streamed out—another reference to clowning.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Articles Related to clown
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clown. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clown
1 of 2 noun1
: a rude and often stupid person
2
: a performer (as in a play or circus) who usually wears funny clothes and makeup and tries to make people laugh
clownish
adjective
ˈklau̇-nish
clownishly
adverb
clownishness
noun
clown
2 of 2 verb
: to act like a clown
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