Definition of clown
1 : farmer, countryman
2 : a rude ill-bred person : boor
3a : a fool, jester, or comedian in an entertainment (such as a play); specifically : a grotesquely dressed comedy performer in a circusb : a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoonc : joker 1b
From the M-W Editors
Examples of clown in a sentence
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
Origin and Etymology of clown
probably of Low German origin; akin to Frisian klönne clumsy fellow, Old English clyne lump of metal
First Known Use: 1563
clown
Definition of clown
intransitive verb
: to act as or like a clown always clowning around
1599
First Known Use of clown
1599
CLOWN Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of clown for English Language Learners
-
: someone who performs in a circus, who wears funny clothes and makeup, and who tries to make people laugh
-
: someone who often does funny things to make people laugh
-
: a rude or stupid person
clown
Definition of clown for English Language Learners
-
: to act like a clown : to say funny things or act in a silly way
CLOWN Defined for Kids
Definition of clown for Students
1 : a performer (as in a circus) who entertains by playing tricks and who usually wears comical clothes and makeup
2 : someone who does things to make people laugh
Definition of clown for Students
clowned
;clowning
: to act in a funny or silly way : act like a clown
Learn More about clown
-
See words that rhyme with clown Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clown Spanish Central: Translation of clown Nglish: Translation of clown for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of clown for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clown
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up clown? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!