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

Example Sentences

Wilson insisted that he wants kids to have “emotional control” to prevent living in a “clown world,” a point that makes sense at first glance.

From Salon

Companies like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey offered elephants, equestrian acts, clowns and contortionists in a huge Big Top that could seat thousands.

From The Wall Street Journal

"There's this sort of clown show that's happening in social media and on television," he continued.

From BBC

Carefully Sam dipped his plastic clown cup into the goldfish bowl.

From Literature

The class clown is definitely the one earning us an A right now.

From Literature

Related Words

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