# buffoon

/bəˈfun/ (US) · /bʌfˈuːn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/buffoon
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.