clown

1 of 2

noun

ˈklau̇n 

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

: joker sense 1b

clown

2 of 2

verb

clowned; clowning; clowns

intransitive verb

: to act as or like a clown

always clowning around

Synonyms

Noun

• buffo
• buffoon
• harlequin
• zany

Verb

• act up
• cut up
• fool around
• horse around
• hotdog
• monkey (around)
• show off
• showboat
• skylark

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

Noun

Streaming holiday films:Best Christmas movies on Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Disney+, Max? How to watch Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade This year's parade includes 22 floats, 17 character balloons, 15 heritage or novelty balloons and more than 700 clowns, according to NBC. —Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Nov. 2024

This year's lineup is slated to showcase 22 floats, 17 character balloons, 15 heritage or novelty balloons and more than 700 clowns, according to NBC, which broadcasts the event. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Verb

But getting clowned on (and tea-bagged) by your victims? —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024

Members of the troupe will be performing feats of juggling and foot-juggling, rola bola stunts, clowning and more. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably of Low German origin; akin to Frisian klönne clumsy fellow, Old English clyne lump of metal

First Known Use

Noun

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1599, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clown

• ass-clown
• clown fish
• play the clown
• the class clown

Kids Definition

clown

1 of 2 noun

ˈklau̇n 

1

: 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

ˈklau̇-nish

adjective

clownishly adverb

clownishness noun

clown

2 of 2 verb

: to act like a clown