clown

American  

[kloun] / klaʊn /

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.

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verb (used without object)

clowns, present (3rd person singular) clowned, past participle, past clowning present participle

1. to act like a clown.

clown British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to perform as a clown

2. to play jokes or tricks

3. to act foolishly

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• clownish
  adjective
• clownishly
  adverb
• clownishness
  noun
• clownery
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has clowned
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have clowned
  perfect
• have been clowning
  perfect progressive
• are clowning
  progressive
• has been clowning
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• clowning
  participle
• am clowning
  progressive 1st person singular
• clowns
  singular 3rd person
• is clowning
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had clowned
  perfect
• was clowning
  progressive singular
• clowned
  simple
• had been clowning
  perfect progressive
• were clowning
  progressive plural
• clowned
  participle

Future

• will clown
  simple
• will have clowned
  perfect
• will be clowning
  progressive
• will have been clowning
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of clown

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

Explanation

A clown is someone who makes people laugh, like the guy with the red nose and oversize polka dotted tie. It can also be an insult — a rude buffoon can be called a clown. To clown means to act goofy. The clowns found at circuses and birthday parties usually wear makeup and big shoes, but funny people in regular clothes are often called clowns, too, as in the class clown who tells jokes in school. Also, someone obnoxious can be called a clown, as in “that clown wrecked my car!” Acting like a clown in any way is clowning. A teacher trying to get the attention of kids who are fooling around might say, "Stop clowning around!”

Example Sentences

For those who more dread than relish the imminent arrival of a fifth “Toy Story” film, a healthy dose of KoKo the Clown, one of the studio’s original characters, might just be called for.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

In theatre, the newly-renovated King's Theatre will reopen with two productions offering reflections on America - Internationaal Theater Amsterdam's five-hour staging of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, and Geoff Sobelle's Clown Show.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

The Magic Clown on NBC, which ran from 1949 to 1954, was created as an advertisement for Bonomo Turkish Taffy.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

TONOPAH, Nev. — Business is so good at the Clown Motel, you might expect more of its painted faces to be smiling.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2024

He checked out the Rocky the Clown poster that hung on my wall.

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore

Related Words

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