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)

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

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

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

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 series also resists the temptation to show Gacy dressed up as Pogo the Clown, the image that helped kick several generations’ claims of coulrophobia into high gear.

From Salon • Oct. 29, 2025

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

When we make it to 23 Clown Street, we discover that it’s a restaurant.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

Related Words

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