clownery

American  

[klou-nuh-ree] / ˈklaʊ nə ri /

noun

clowneries plural

1. clownish behavior.

2. an instance of this.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• clowneries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of clownery

First recorded in 1580–90; clown + -ery

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clownery

He, of course, is Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Joaquin Phoenix with a bicorn hat, a dyspeptic grimace and an unshakable air of post-“Joker,” post-“Beau Is Afraid” tragic clownery.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2023

The clownery that ensues around this plot point cannot be overstated.

From New York Times ● Jun. 22, 2023

There's very little of the youthful clownery in this iteration of his royal, which leaves more room for other players to take up space.

From Salon ● Mar. 5, 2021

So, as is always the case, when you do clownery, the clown comes back to bite.

From Slate ● Dec. 11, 2019

Nay, out of doubt he does well, for a gentleman to imitate: but I warrant you, he becomes his natural carriage of the gentleman, much better than his clownery.

From Every Man out of His Humour by Jonson, Ben