harlequin
noun
a comic character in commedia dell'arte and the harlequinade, usually masked, dressed in multicolored, diamond-patterned tights, and carrying a wooden sword or magic wand.
harlequins
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pluralof harlequin.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Atlantic puffins are the harlequins of the sea, colorful as a rainforest parrot—black backs, white bellies, quad-colored beaks and intensely orange feet and legs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
As Dr Elizabeth Duncan says: "Unfortunately, they do compete with and can outcompete some native ladybird species, but they like to overwinter in different environments - harlequins in our homes and seven-spots in leaf litter."
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2025
A riot of colors, ludic patterns, and subtle riffs on harlequins.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 2, 2023
Clowns, as pranksters, jesters, jokers, harlequins, and mythologized tricksters have been around for ages.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2023
He saw Ku Klux Klan hoods, skeletons, harlequins in garish colors, painted faces.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
