clown
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.
a person who acts like a clown; comedian; joker; buffoon; jester.
a prankster; a practical joker.
Slang. a coarse, ill-bred person; a boor.
a peasant; rustic.
to act like a clown.
Origin of clown
1Other words for clown
Other words from clown
- clownish, adjective
- clown·ish·ly, adverb
- clown·ish·ness, noun
Words Nearby clown
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use clown in a sentence
A talent who can rap, hit a falsetto, and isn’t afraid to be goofy on wax, Raj’s music and skills show why he is a powerful teacher and a class clown you need to add to your own playlist queue.
Soulection’s Joe Kay Presents ‘A Beginner’s Guide To Future Sounds’ | Brande Victorian | February 5, 2021 | Essence.comWe made them look ridiculous by contrasting our joyous celebration of democracy with their clown show.
The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election | Molly Ball | February 4, 2021 | TimeOne piece follows a waitress on the hunt for her missing daughter, another captures what happens when a drug dealer meets a lawyer and a clown at a bar.
Mazel tov on your engagement, Hannah — your gift of a disembodied clown head on a plank will be in the mail soon.
I didn’t find a good hat, but I did happen to find one lot of 100 little disembodied, glummish clown heads — they looked so Loserly!
Style Conversational Week 1413: Our new not-so-big top -- the Clowning Achievement trophy | Pat Myers | December 3, 2020 | Washington Post
So many families come that Vargas has arranged for a clown to entertain the kids.
America’s Fastest Growing Death Holiday Is From Mexico | Michael Schulson | November 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAn 18-year-old man dressed as a clown mugged a pedestrian, striking him 30 times in the back and neck with an iron bar.
There have more recent reports of Wasco clown inspired sightings from as far away as Fishers, Indiana.
Nightmares in Face Paint: Why We’ll Always Be Afraid of Clowns | Oliver Jones | October 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe subtext of the clown is that life is a joke and can be snatched away at any moment.
Nightmares in Face Paint: Why We’ll Always Be Afraid of Clowns | Oliver Jones | October 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThere is something about a clown that stays with people: the bright colors, their tendency to be demonstrative.
Nightmares in Face Paint: Why We’ll Always Be Afraid of Clowns | Oliver Jones | October 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWheeler and Smith formed a junction, and moved clown upon the abandoned post of Budhawal.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. NolanHe must have fallen asleep again, for, when he opened his eyes, there was the clown at the foot of his bed making a face.
The Talking Horse | F. AnsteyIt was a singular fact about the clown that the slightest check seemed to take away all his brilliancy.
The Talking Horse | F. AnsteyAs he looked back, he could see the clown galloping round the corner and hear his yell of discovery.
The Talking Horse | F. AnsteyBreakfast was over at last, and the clown took Tommy's arm and walked upstairs to the first floor with him.
The Talking Horse | F. Anstey
British Dictionary definitions for clown
/ (klaʊn) /
a comic entertainer, usually grotesquely costumed and made up, appearing in the circus
any performer who elicits an amused response
someone who plays jokes or tricks
a person who acts in a comic or buffoon-like manner
a coarse clumsy rude person; boor
archaic a countryman or rustic
to perform as a clown
to play jokes or tricks
to act foolishly
Origin of clown
1Derived forms of clown
- clownery, noun
- clownish, adjective
- clownishly, adverb
- clownishness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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