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

Growing up in Chicago, Piller and her mother performed as clowns at birthdays and company picnics.

From Los Angeles Times

“I saw him trip the other day and I clowned him for like two days.”

From Los Angeles Times

The 73-year-old retired clown started in fourth grade, with a poem about his teacher; it wasn’t flattering, but he got a kick out of saying what he thought.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even a clown can do immense damage when enough people mistake performance for truth.

From Salon

In a report released last month, Bongino was described as “something of a clown.”

From Salon

Related Words

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