clown

[ kloun ]

noun

1. a comic performer, as in a circus, theatrical production, or the like, who wears an outlandish costume and makeup and entertains by pantomiming common situations or actions in exaggerated or ridiculous fashion, by juggling or tumbling, etc.
2. a person who acts like a clown; comedian; joker; buffoon; jester.
3. a prankster; a practical joker.

   Synonyms: churl, lout

4. Slang. a coarse, ill-bred person; a boor.

   Synonyms: bumpkin

5. a peasant; rustic.

verb (used without object)

1. to act like a clown.

clown

/ klaʊn /

noun

1. a comic entertainer, usually grotesquely costumed and made up, appearing in the circus
2. any performer who elicits an amused response
3. someone who plays jokes or tricks
4. a person who acts in a comic or buffoon-like manner
5. a coarse clumsy rude person; boor
6. archaic.
   a countryman or rustic

verb

1. to perform as a clown
2. to play jokes or tricks
3. to act foolishly

Derived Forms

• ˈclownishness, noun
• ˈclownery, noun
• ˈclownishly, adverb
• ˈclownish, adjective

Other Words From

• clownish adjective
• clownish·ly adverb
• clownish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clown¹

1555–65; earlier cloyne, clowne, perhaps akin to Old Norse klunni boor, Danish dialect klunds, Swedish dialect klunn log

Word History and Origins

Origin of clown¹

C16: perhaps of Low German origin; compare Frisian klönne, Icelandic klunni clumsy fellow

Example Sentences

So many families come that Vargas has arranged for a clown to entertain the kids.

From The Daily Beast

An 18-year-old man dressed as a clown mugged a pedestrian, striking him 30 times in the back and neck with an iron bar.

From The Daily Beast

There have more recent reports of Wasco Clown inspired sightings from as far away as Fishers, Indiana.

From The Daily Beast

The subtext of the clown is that life is a joke and can be snatched away at any moment.

From The Daily Beast

There is something about a clown that stays with people: the bright colors, their tendency to be demonstrative.

From The Daily Beast

Wheeler and Smith formed a junction, and moved clown upon the abandoned post of Budhawal.

From Project Gutenberg

He must have fallen asleep again, for, when he opened his eyes, there was the clown at the foot of his bed making a face.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a singular fact about the clown that the slightest check seemed to take away all his brilliancy.

From Project Gutenberg

As he looked back, he could see the clown galloping round the corner and hear his yell of discovery.

From Project Gutenberg

Breakfast was over at last, and the clown took Tommy's arm and walked upstairs to the first floor with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• buffoon
• comedian
• comic
• fool
• jester
• mime
• prankster