Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

clowning

  • present participle
    of clown.
    clown
    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.

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.

See Examples For:

Now even Dolly-esque clowning can’t save country music’s current stars from having to take unambiguous positions.

From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026

Therapists sometimes even recommend their patients take clowning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Proctor, who studied theater and political science in college, now teaches three classes on clowning at NYU and is the founder of Clown Gym, a New York City studio focused on all things physical comedy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

The wily, frizzy-haired Frenchman with red-framed spectacles taught Zucker everything he knows about clowning.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

He had no idea that people thought he was clowning.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut