clown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a performer who entertains others, often in a circus, or metaphorically to describe someone acting foolishly. Example: "He acted like a clown during the meeting, making everyone laugh instead of focusing on the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, if Mr Edwards had been a top candidate, he would have been under too much scrutiny to clown around with a mistress on the campaign trail.

The Economist

One, Helen Champion (Zenden the Clown), had been painting clowns as part of her fine art degree at Goldsmith's and had gone native.

The Guardian

I suspect a clown father would have better things on his mind than table manners.

The Guardian - Books

And William thinks: "A clown would not have said this".

The Guardian - Books

A University of Sheffield study of 250 children for a report on hospital design suggested children find clown motifs "frightening and unknowable".

The Guardian

Mattie Faint has been a professional clown since he was 17 when, as a theatre student up from Plymouth, he got a gig as a grease-painted human signpost for a puppet show in London.

The Guardian

Grimaldi makes a cameo appearance in Dickens's Pickwick Papers and that is really the first time when we see the clown as a horrific figure.

The Guardian

He has remained wedded to the stage, though with some intriguing diversions: for a few months after university, for instance, he trained as a clown in Italy.

The Guardian - Film

Eight months ago Warner was the clown a whole nation – and possibly two nations – could laugh at, a caricature of the crass, unthinking, aggressive bogan so exotic he seemed to have been pulled straight from the pre-internet era, Australian cricket's own Barney Gumble.

The Guardian - Sport

Last year he went to Australia, travelled 3,500 miles with clown doctors working with dementia patients in care homes.

The Guardian

Last month Michael West's report on News Corp earned him the title of "inflatable clown" from loyal Murdoch lieutenant and columnist Terry McCrann.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clown" as a verb sparingly in formal business writing; instead, consider using more precise terms like "behaving unprofessionally" or "acting playfully".

Common error

Avoid using "clown" as a derogatory label in formal reports or performance reviews, as it may appear overly emotional or biased rather than objective. Instead, use phrases like "lapse in judgment" or "unprofessional conduct".

Linguistic Context

The term "clown" primarily functions as a noun used to identify a professional performer or a person acting foolishly. It also operates as a verb, describing the act of behaving playfully, which Ludwig confirms as a common usage in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Arts & Entertainment

10%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "clown" is a robust and flexible term in English, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in high-tier publications analyzed by Ludwig. While its origins lie in the circus and performance arts, its contemporary use is largely metaphorical, serving as a powerful descriptor for foolishness or a lack of seriousness in public life. Ludwig AI suggests that while the word is Correct, writers must navigate its dual nature carefully—it can be lighthearted and playful or sharp and derisive. Its prevalence in outlets like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its utility in political and social commentary, but users should be cautious of its potential as an insult in more professional or sensitive settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

buffoon

Emphasizes the ridiculous or gross nature of a person's behavior

fool

A more general term for someone lacking judgment or sense

clown around

Converts the noun into a phrasal verb describing the action

jester

Carries a historical or more formal connotation of professional humor

act the fool

An idiomatic verbal phrase equivalent to the verb form

bozo

A more informal and slang-heavy version of the term

joker

Focuses on the person as a source of humor or mischief

prankster

Shifts the focus toward someone who performs practical jokes

comedian

Restricts the meaning to a professional performer of comedy

harlequin

Refers to a specific, stylized character from the commedia dell'arte

FAQs

How to use "clown" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun to describe a performer, such as "The "clown" entertained the children", or metaphorically like "He acted like a "clown" during the serious meeting".

What can I say instead of "clown"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "buffoon", "fool", "jester" or "joker".

Which is correct, "clown" or "buffoon"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "buffoon" often implies a more crude or clumsy level of foolishness than a "clown".

What is the difference between "clown" and "jester"?

While a "clown" is often associated with modern circuses, a "jester" usually refers to a historical court entertainer.