clown

American  

[kloun] / klaʊn /

noun

• clowns
  plural

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

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• clowns
  plural

Participles

• clowning
  present
• clowned
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• clown
  simple
• clowns
  simple
• have clowned
  perfect
• has clowned
  perfect
• am clowning
  progressive
• are clowning
  progressive
• is clowning
  progressive
• have been clowning
  perfect progressive
• has been clowning
  perfect progressive

Past

• clowned
  simple
• had clowned
  perfect
• was clowning
  progressive
• were clowning
  progressive
• had been clowning
  perfect progressive

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

See Examples For:

clown clowns clowned clowning

“We don’t bring any material aid,” said Sandra Rodríguez, part of a volunteer group that organizes clown shows and other diversions, speaking at a golf course that has become an official homeless encampment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

They include depictions of Manila as a clown and a snake, among other things.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

A clown paints children's faces, music fills the air, as families spread picnic carpets across the grass.

From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026

Most know Morgan as a singular kind of clown who pulls everyone’s focus simply by entering a room.

From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026

He looked like somebody who had flunked clown school.

From "Lawn Boy" by Gary Paulsen

For all its clowns and pratfalls, it’s quietly one of television’s great food shows.

From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2026

When it comes to variety shows, drag brunches and clowns, our town is top tier.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026

Say you don’t pay much attention to the nitty-gritty of politics and think they’re all a bunch of clowns.

From Slate ● Apr. 18, 2026

Gainer credits his junior-high-school guidance counselor for urging him to apply to Manhattan’s High School of Art and Design, after she saw his portfolio, which included paintings of automobiles and clowns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2025

She had on enough makeup for ten clowns.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli

“Strangers clowned us,” former Ambassadors player Victoria Henson told me the other day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026

His song Thick Of It, which features Trippie Redd, was nominated for song of the year - despite being something he was "clowned for".

From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2025

The Apollo 7 astronauts also won a special Emmy award for their daily television reports from orbit, during which they clowned around, held up humorous signs and educated earthlings about space flight.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 3, 2023

Players gave it a try because they trusted their owner, the guy who danced and clowned for them every night, festooned from head to toe in yellow.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2022

The same old boys showed off trading cards and clowned around nearby.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia

But for all that clowning, Mr. Leeke tells us, Luciano was dead serious about keeping the game safe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026

“They have told me how much the medical clowning work has enriched their ability to converse, communicate and connect with patients — it helps so much with their bedside manner,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025

But too much clowning around might not look so smart.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2025

Living up to her designation as “the Internet’s favorite rich auntie,” Ross keeps her Instagram followers well fed with endless glamour and lots of clowning around.

From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2025

He was clowning around and when we played the tape back I saw that it was too dark and I was jerking the camera around.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

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