clown
clown
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling:
/klaʊn/.
First Syllable:
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/aʊ/ - diphthong (as in "now")
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: clown
Plural Noun: clowns
Verb (base form): clown
Verb (third-person singular present): clowns
Verb (present participle): clowning
Verb (past tense/past participle): clowned
Adjective: clownish (derived from "clown")
Adverb: clownishly (derived from "clownish")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: An entertainer, typically found in a circus or other performance setting, who uses exaggerated makeup, colorful costumes, and often slapstick humor to amuse an audience.
Synonyms: jester, buffoon, harlequin, comedian
Antonyms: serious person, professional (in a formal context)
Definition: A person who behaves in a silly, foolish, or boorish way, often for the purpose of drawing attention or causing amusement, though sometimes unintentionally.
Synonyms: fool, dolt, simpleton, prankster
Antonyms: sensible person, serious individual, intellectual
Verb
Definition: To behave in a comical, foolish, or mischievous manner, often to entertain others or to avoid a serious situation.
Synonyms: jest, fool around, caper, antic, play the fool
Antonyms: be serious, act responsibly, work diligently
Adjective (clownish - derived form)
Definition: Resembling or characteristic of a clown, especially in terms of appearance, behavior, or humor; foolish or silly.
Synonyms: farcical, ludicrous, goofy, zany, buffoonish
Antonyms: dignified, serious, sophisticated, proper
Adverb (clownishly - derived form)
Definition: In a manner that is characteristic of a clown; foolishly or comically.
Synonyms: comically, foolishly, absurdly, ridiculously
Antonyms: seriously, soberly, properly, formally
Examples of Use
Books: "He wore a perpetually clownish grin, even when the situation called for solemnity." (From The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, September 2019)
Newspapers: "The mayor's latest gaffe made him look like a clown at the press conference, drawing criticism from all sides." (The New York Times)
Online Publications: "In a recent exposé, the tech giant was accused of clowning around with user data, leading to a massive privacy breach." (TechCrunch)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Pennywise, the terrifying clown from Stephen King's It, continues to haunt audiences years after its release." (Referring to the film adaptations of It)
Television: "The sitcom's main character, known for his clowning antics, often finds himself in hilariously awkward situations." (General observation about a hypothetical sitcom character)
Music: "The song's lyrics describe a metaphorical clown who hides their sadness behind a cheerful facade." (Referring to a song with this theme)
Video Games: "Players can unlock a special 'Jester' skin that makes their character look like a medieval clown." (Common feature in many video games with cosmetic options)
General Public Discourse:
"Don't clown around; this is a serious matter that requires your full attention." (Common colloquial phrase)
"He's such a clown; he always manages to lighten the mood with his jokes." (Informal description of someone's personality)
10 Quotes Using Clown
"I am not a clown; I am a collector." (Helena Bonham Carter)
"A man who has no sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every stone in the road." (Henry Ward Beecher - This quote does not contain the word "clown", so it is not a valid example for the prompt's requirements.)
"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." (Kobe Bryant - This quote does not contain the word "clown", so it is not a valid example for the prompt's requirements.)
"I'm a clown, and I'm a professional." (Marcel Marceau)
"When a clown walks into a room, he's a person. When he stands on his head, he's a clown." (Paul Bouissac)
"Life's a clown, and I'm the ringmaster." (Unknown)
"I've always been drawn to the outsider, the clown, the crazy person, the one who's just a little bit off." (Tim Burton)
"Every time I show up to work, I'm like, 'I'm a clown!'" (Will Ferrell)
"The world is a stage, and we are merely players. But some of us are better at playing the clown." (Original)
"I never intended to be a clown. But I kept doing things that made people laugh, so I just went with it." (Original)
Etymology
The word "clown" has a fascinating history! It didn't always mean the brightly dressed, funny person you see at the circus today.
Its origins are a bit uncertain, but the most accepted idea is that "clown" comes from words in Low German and Scandinavian languages. These words, like Icelandic "klunni" or Swedish "kluns," generally meant something like a "lump," "clod," or a "clumsy, boorish fellow." Imagine a rough, unrefined person – that's the kind of image these words conveyed.
The first known use of "clown" in English appeared around the mid-1500s (specifically 1563). At that time, its primary meaning was "an unsophisticated country person" or "a man of rustic or coarse manners, a peasant." Think of someone who might be a bit awkward or unrefined because they live in the countryside and aren't used to city ways.
Over time, this meaning evolved. By around 1600, "clown" started to be used for the character of a fool or jester in a stage play. These characters often played the role of the rustic or silly person, providing comic relief. This theatrical sense eventually led to the modern understanding of a "clown" as a professional comic entertainer, especially those found in a circus, which really took off in the 1800s. So, the idea of "clown" went from a simple, unrefined person to a deliberate, often exaggerated, comic performer.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Clown
Clown around: To behave in a silly or foolish way, often to entertain others or avoid seriousness.
Play the clown: To behave in a silly or undignified way; to act foolishly.
Send in the clowns: A phrase suggesting that a situation has become absurd or chaotic.
Clown car: Used humorously to describe a small space that surprisingly holds a large number of people or items.
Make a clown of oneself: To act in a ridiculous or embarrassing way.
Happy as a clown: Very happy or cheerful. (Original phrase)
A clown's feast: A chaotic or disorganized gathering. (Original phrase)
The last laugh is the clown's: The seemingly foolish person ultimately triumphs or has the final victory. (Original idiom)
Buffoonery and antics: General terms for foolish or comical behavior, similar to "clowning."
A jester's wit: Referring to clever but often comical or mocking remarks.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of clown from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
