buffoon

noun

buf·foon | \ (ˌ)bə-ˈfün

How to pronounce buffoon (audio)

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Definition of buffoon

1 : a ludicrous figure : clown

2 : a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person acting like a ridiculous buffoon

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Synonyms for buffoon

Synonyms

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 To return to the subject of Cuomo, that boorish, bumbling buffoon. — Madeleine Kearns, National Review, "Bring Back the Slap," 23 Mar. 2021 Limbaugh was a much more engaging broadcaster, wildly funny at times, a mimic, a deliberate buffoon — an entertainer, for sure. — Bill Carter For Cnn Busniess Perspectivies, CNN, "Rush Limbaugh opened the airwaves to extremist commentary and built an empire," 19 Feb. 2021 When he was elected, the comedy community wasn’t quite sure how to deal with a professional reality show buffoon squatting in the White House for four years. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, "Trump Is Out. You Can Laugh Again. TV’s Funniest Women Will Show You How," 21 Jan. 2021 One percenters, stupid criminals, strippers, a Burmese python with a starring role, an orange-haired buffoon, and assorted hapless victims who manage to be at the wrong place at the wrong time are guaranteed to keep you laughing. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "The Fast Forward 2020 Winter Bookies reading list," 4 Jan. 2021 The dim-witted buffoon of commedia dell’arte, pining for his Columbine but outwitted by Harlequin, became the formula for the classic love triangle in opera and theater. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, "Schoenberg knew. When the world goes mad, send in the clowns," 25 Nov. 2020 The dialogue, which appears to be largely improvised, never really gets off the ground, but it’s always a treat to watch Reilly play a blustering buffoon. — Neal Justin, Star Tribune, "Space comedy 'Moonbase 8' and four other shows our TV critic is watching this week," 6 Nov. 2020 Under the old management there was a squat, apoplectic Trinidadian—a charming and fickle Indian buffoon from early V. S. Naipaul. — Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper's Magazine, "Reason Not the Need," 15 Sep. 2020 This is America, where Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher can reveal himself on social media as an insensitive buffoon by dismissing the merits of the NBA player protests. — Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Ravens' call to action is a lesson on social justice for NFL's power brokers," 29 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buffoon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

28 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Buffoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffoon. Accessed 5 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for buffoon

buffoon

noun

English Language Learners Definition of buffoon

: a stupid or foolish person who tries to be funny

See the full definition for buffoon in the English Language Learners Dictionary

buffoon

noun

buf·foon | \ bə-ˈfün

\

Kids Definition of buffoon

: a foolish or stupid person

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