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 usually colorfully costumed 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
David MacK, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
The final Scary Movie trailer opens with a fittingly grotesque send-up of Terrifier, the ultra-bloody, low-budget clown slasher that's built a cult following.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
There’s one dressed as a circus clown.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
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Noun
In showcasing the comedy and entertainment skills of drag queens, rather than the lip-syncing talents most people might be familiar with, the movie in effect asks critics of drag what exactly is so scary about a bunch of glamorous clowns.
—David MacK, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
The final Scary Movie trailer opens with a fittingly grotesque send-up of Terrifier, the ultra-bloody, low-budget clown slasher that's built a cult following.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Verb
Performances include clowning by Unique Derique, the singing of the Black National Anthem and a Tina Turner tribute by Lea Sweet.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
There’s one dressed as a circus clown.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clown. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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