Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

had been clowning

  • past perfect progressive
    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:

Jay Brewer, 19, a friend of Armani’s, said that at the time of the shooting, he was talking to officers and explaining that friends had been clowning around earlier.

From New York Times ● Oct. 27, 2015