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View synonyms for

clown

[ kloun ]

noun

  1. 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.
  2. a person who acts like a clown; comedian; joker; buffoon; jester.
  3. a prankster; a practical joker.

    Synonyms: ,

  4. Slang. a coarse, ill-bred person; a boor.

    Synonyms:

  5. a peasant; rustic.


verb (used without object)

  1. to act like a clown.

clown

/ ʊ /

noun

  1. a comic entertainer, usually grotesquely costumed and made up, appearing in the circus
  2. any performer who elicits an amused response
  3. someone who plays jokes or tricks
  4. a person who acts in a comic or buffoon-like manner
  5. a coarse clumsy rude person; boor
  6. archaic.
    a countryman or rustic
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to perform as a clown
  2. to play jokes or tricks
  3. to act foolishly
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈǷɲԱ, noun
  • ˈǷɲԾԱ, noun
  • ˈǷɲԾ, adverb
  • ˈǷɲԾ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • Ƿɲi adjective
  • Ƿɲi·ly adverb
  • Ƿɲi·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clown1

1555–65; earlier cloyne, clowne, perhaps akin to Old Norse klunni boor, Danish dialect klunds, Swedish dialect klunn log
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clown1

C16: perhaps of Low German origin; compare Frisian öԲԱ, Icelandic klunni clumsy fellow
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

After all, it’s hard to be taken seriously when the “entire” Pentagon considers Hegseth a cable news clown with bad tattoos who wants to install a makeup room in the Pentagon.

From

This past summer, we gathered in New Rochelle and did double Dutch lessons, clowning classes and Pilates.

From

Remarkably, when Iris realizes that an emotional support certification would bar her building from evicting her, “The Friend” carefully avoids making Iris into one of these Upper West Side clowns.

From

It came naturally to someone who admits he was "always the class clown" at school, and enjoyed being the centre of attention.

From

"Why don't I become a circus clown?" he told a reporter in 2012.

From

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