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
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
The final moments of the trailer revealed a terrifying figure hiding deep in the woods, one that looked overwhelmingly like a female clown.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet clowned around onstage during the Superman presentation at CinemaCon.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
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Noun
Caro Stowell of Thomasville was dressed up like a clown.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
The final moments of the trailer revealed a terrifying figure hiding deep in the woods, one that looked overwhelmingly like a female clown.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Directing actors who make all the physical transitions onstage in between scenes also appeals to Saur, whose professional resume includes acting, acrobatics, clowning and drag.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet clowned around onstage during the Superman presentation at CinemaCon.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 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 11 Apr. 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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