# clown

/ˈkɫaʊn/ (US) · /klˈaʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clown
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. circus performer

noun · CEFR A2

a performer who wears funny clothes and face paint to make people laugh, usually in a circus.

For teachers: a comic entertainer, especially in a circus, who wears a traditional costume and exaggerated make-up to perform slapstick comedy.

- The children laughed when the clown with the big red nose tripped over his own shoes.
- The circus featured a classic routine where ten clowns emerged from a tiny car to the delight of the audience.

### 2. silly person

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

someone who acts in a silly way or makes a lot of jokes to get attention.

For teachers: a person who habitually behaves in a foolish or playful way, often to amuse others.

- Stop being such a clown and help me finish this serious project.
- Every office has a resident clown who uses humour to deflect from the stress of quarterly deadlines.

### 3. rude or clumsy person

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a person who is rude, clumsy, or has no manners.

For teachers: a person of coarse manners or awkward behaviour; historically used for a rustic or ill-bred individual.

- The old book described the villain as a rude clown who knew nothing of city life.
- In the Shakespearean sense, the character is less a circus performer and more a country clown whose lack of social grace provides the comedy.

### 4. to act silly

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to behave in a silly or playful way to make people laugh.

For teachers: to behave in a comical or foolish manner, often as a form of play or distraction.

- The students were clowning around in the back of the classroom instead of studying.
- The athletes were seen clowning around during the warm-up, showing little of the focus expected for a championship final.

Usage: Often used with the particle 'around'.

## Examples

- The clown made a balloon animal for the child.
- During the circus intermission, a clown ran into the ring and started tripping over his own oversized shoes.
- While the traditional image of the clown is one of joy and slapstick humor, modern psychological studies often explore why some people find the painted mask deeply unsettling.

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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.