clown

1 of 2

noun

ˈklau̇n 

1

: farmer, countryman

2

: a rude ill-bred person : boor

3

a

: a fool, jester, or comedian in an entertainment (such as a play)

specifically : a usually colorfully costumed comedy performer in a circus

b

: a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoon

c

: joker sense 1b

clown

2 of 2

verb

clowned; clowning; clowns

intransitive verb

: to act as or like a clown

always clowning around

Synonyms of clown

Noun

• harlequin
• buffoon
• comedian

Verb

• horse around
• monkey (around)
• fool around
• cut up
• show off

Examples of clown in a Sentence

Noun

Those big shoes make you look like a clown!

Who's the clown standing in the middle of the road?

those clowns at the state capital

Verb

as a youngster he was always clowning around in the classroom

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The island village is beset by sea hags, serial killers, creepy clowns and other evils that interfere with Tom’s dream of turning Widow’s Bay into a Martha’s Vineyard-like tourist destination. —Alison Herman, Variety, 17 June 2026

Even the announcers are laughing at the clown Way to swing the bat. —Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026

Verb

And Then The Rodeo Burned Down Xhloe and Natasha are a writing-performing-clowning duo who have been blowing up Fringe circuits for the last several years. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026

Performances include clowning by Unique Derique, the singing of the Black National Anthem and a Tina Turner tribute by Lea Sweet. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably of Low German origin; akin to Frisian klönne clumsy fellow, Old English clyne lump of metal

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clown

• clown fish
• play the clown
• the class clown

Rhymes for clown

• bown
• crown
• drown
• frown
• gown
• lown
• noun
• town
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown

Kids Definition

clown

1 of 2 noun

ˈklau̇n 

1

: a rude and often stupid person

2

: a performer (as in a play or circus) who usually wears funny clothes and makeup and tries to make people laugh

clownish

ˈklau̇-nish

adjective

clownishly adverb

clownishness noun

clown

2 of 2 verb

: to act like a clown