clown

[ kloun ]

/ klaʊn /

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See synonyms for: clown / clowning / clownishness / clownish on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

verb (used without object)

to act like a clown.

OTHER WORDS FOR clown

3 lout, churl.

4 bumpkin.

See synonyms for clown on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of clown

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

OTHER WORDS FROM clown

clownish, adjectiveclown·ish·ly, adverbclown·ish·ness, noun

Words nearby clown

cloverleaf aerial, Clovis, Clovis I, clovis point, clowder, clown, clown anemone, clown car, clownery, clown white, cloxacillin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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.com
We 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|Time
One 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.
Here Are the 14 New Books You Should Read in February|Annabel Gutterman|February 2, 2021|Time
Mazel tov on your engagement, Hannah — your gift of a disembodied clown head on a plank will be in the mail soon.
Style Conversational Week 1415: Slaphappy seconds|Pat Myers|December 17, 2020|Washington Post

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|DAILY BEAST
An 18-year-old man dressed as a clown mugged a pedestrian, striking him 30 times in the back and neck with an iron bar.
French Freak-Out Over Creepy Clowns|Tracy McNicoll|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
The 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|DAILY BEAST
There 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|DAILY BEAST
Wheeler 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. Nolan
He 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. Anstey
It was a singular fact about the clown that the slightest check seemed to take away all his brilliancy.
The Talking Horse|F. Anstey
As he looked back, he could see the clown galloping round the corner and hear his yell of discovery.
The Talking Horse|F. Anstey
Breakfast 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

clown

/ (klaʊn) /

noun

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

verb (intr)

to perform as a clown

to play jokes or tricks

to act foolishly

Derived forms of clown

clownery, nounclownish, adjectiveclownishly, adverbclownishness, noun

Word Origin for clown

C16: perhaps of Low German origin; compare Frisian klönne, Icelandic klunni clumsy fellow

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

clown

OTHER WORDS FOR clown

Origin of clown

OTHER WORDS FROM clown

Words nearby clown

Words related to clown

How to use clown in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clown

Derived forms of clown

Word Origin for clown