Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

auguste

noun, often capitalized
au·​guste | \ ˈau̇gəst\
plural -s

Definition of auguste 

: a circus clown who appears in white makeup and follows a chiefly slapstick routine

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of auguste

circa 1903, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for auguste

French, probably from German august, from the name August

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about auguste

Statistics for auguste

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for auguste

The first known use of auguste was circa 1903

See more words from the same year

Comments on auguste

What made you want to look up auguste? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

farouche

marked by shyness and lack of polish

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Liar, Liar Quiz

  • alt-5761dbe2ba986
  • Someone who pretends to be sick in order to avoid work is a:
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games