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 grotesquely dressed comedy performer in a circus
b
: a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoon
c
clowned; clowning; clowns
: to act as or like a clown
always clowning around
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
Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Fans can also look forward to performances by the iconic Silver Spurs Quadrille, the adorable antics of kids competing in Mutton Bustin’, and plenty of laughs courtesy of the ever-entertaining rodeo clowns.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 22 May 2025
In between her shots at clowning stardom, Cherry makes impressive chains of bad decisions—most of them being illicit hookups with older women.
—The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
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Noun
Elves, insectoids, reptilians, aliens, gods, and clowns are all common.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Fans can also look forward to performances by the iconic Silver Spurs Quadrille, the adorable antics of kids competing in Mutton Bustin’, and plenty of laughs courtesy of the ever-entertaining rodeo clowns.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Verb
After teasing the song on a Twitch livestream with the streamer Reggie, fans were quick to clown the pop star for trying to turn a lighthearted track into a soulful ballad.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 22 May 2025
In between her shots at clowning stardom, Cherry makes impressive chains of bad decisions—most of them being illicit hookups with older women.
—The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clown. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clown
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
adjective
ˈklau̇-nish
clownishly
adverb
clownishness
noun
clown
2 of 2 verb
: to act like a clown
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