buffoon

noun

buf·​foon (ˌ)bə-ˈfün How to pronounce buffoon (audio)
1
: a ludicrous figure : clown
2
: a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person
acting like a ridiculous buffoon
buffoonish adjective

Examples of buffoon in a Sentence

Stop acting like a buffoon. the children at the birthday party giggled at the buffoon's silly tricks
Recent Examples on the Web Jeff is a buffoon, always setting off his shrill, tacky wife Susie (Susie Essman). TIME, 2 Feb. 2024 David Frye impersonated President Nixon as a buffoon. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2023 The patriarch who should be a loving, wise guide is actually a buffoon. Vulture, 6 Dec. 2023 One kind of investor enjoys the fast results of the Next Big Thing, making the kind of concentrated bet that can make one look like a genius or a buffoon. Chris Taylor, wsj.com, 7 Nov. 2023 In the not-so-distant past, Latinos were basically non-existent in Hollywood or reduced to secondary characters (the noble native or the naive buffoon) or evil nemeses (thugs and liars). Rodrigo Cervantes, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2023 Opinion:Don't blame the buffoon who harassed Brittney Griner. Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 11 June 2023 What a racist buffoon, playing to other racist buffoons. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 10 May 2023 Don't blame the buffoon who harassed Brittney Griner. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 12 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buffoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French bouffon, from Old Italian buffone

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buffoon was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near buffoon

Cite this Entry

“Buffoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffoon. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

buffoon

noun
buf·​foon (ˌ)bə-ˈfün How to pronounce buffoon (audio)
1
2
: a crude or stupid person

More from Merriam-Webster on buffoon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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