Word
buffoon
Phoneticsbuf·foon, stress on the second syllable
US/bəˈfun/
UK/bʌfˈuːn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who is very silly, loud, or annoying. You use this word to describe someone who acts like a clown in a way that is not funny at all.
n. a person who is foolish, clownish, or ridiculous in appearance or behavior. Often carries a derogatory or dismissive tone.
Examples
“The politician was treated like a buffoon by the news reporters.”
“After making several embarrassing mistakes in front of the board, the manager was dismissed as a buffoon by his colleagues.”
“The satirical play portrays the king as a buffoon, highlighting how his lack of intelligence and erratic behavior eventually leads to the collapse of his entire court.”
Examples
simple
“The politician was treated like a buffoon by the news reporters.”
contextual
“After making several embarrassing mistakes in front of the board, the manager was dismissed as a buffoon by his colleagues.”
complex
“The satirical play portrays the king as a buffoon, highlighting how his lack of intelligence and erratic behavior eventually leads to the collapse of his entire court.”
Real-World Examples
“The jaunty music, by the Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest Hotel and many other films) suggests he is a buffoon and sets the comic tone.” “Image caption, The Daily Mirror calls Tice a "wine buffoon" in its headline, referencing his comments on the deadly heatwaves being good for English wine production.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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