clown
Americannoun
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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.
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a person who acts like a clown; comedian; joker; buffoon; jester.
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a prankster; a practical joker.
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Slang. a coarse, ill-bred person; a boor.
- Synonyms:
- bumpkin
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a peasant; rustic.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a comic entertainer, usually grotesquely costumed and made up, appearing in the circus
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any performer who elicits an amused response
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someone who plays jokes or tricks
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a person who acts in a comic or buffoon-like manner
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a coarse clumsy rude person; boor
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archaic a countryman or rustic
verb
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to perform as a clown
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to play jokes or tricks
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to act foolishly
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has clownedperfect 3rd person singular
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have clownedperfect
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have been clowningperfect progressive
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are clowningprogressive
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has been clowningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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clowningparticiple
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am clowningprogressive 1st person singular
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clownssingular 3rd person
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is clowningprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had clownedperfect
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was clowningprogressive singular
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clownedsimple
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had been clowningperfect progressive
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were clowningprogressive plural
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clownedparticiple
Future
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!”
Vocabulary lists containing clown
Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For those who more dread than relish the imminent arrival of a fifth “Toy Story” film, a healthy dose of KoKo the Clown, one of the studio’s original characters, might just be called for.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
The modern-day Robin Hood story followed mask-wearing highwaymen the Clown and the Wolfman.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 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
You could say the Clown Motel grew out of the cemetery.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2024
I must admit, I even miss him a little as I walk to Clown Street and Melusso’s.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
