clown

Everyday

1. A clown is a performer in a circus or at a party who wears funny clothes, big shoes and face paint and does silly things to make people laugh. tree →
2. (informal) A clown is a person who often acts silly or makes jokes, like the class clown. tree →
3. (rude) Calling someone a clown can be an insult meaning they are stupid or useless. tree →
4. (verb) To clown or clown around is to behave in a silly way to make people laugh. tree →

In the lessons

In stories clowns appear at circuses and birthday parties; «the class clown» is the child who makes everyone laugh, sometimes getting into trouble. As an insult it shows anger at someone's foolishness. Phrases: clown around, class clown, clown fish, act the clown.

Examples

• The clown had a red nose and enormous floppy shoes. tree →
• We hired a clown for my little brother's birthday party. tree →
• Jake is the class clown and always makes us giggle. tree →
• Stop clowning around and finish your work! tree →
• That driver cut in front of us — what a clown! tree →
• Some children are scared of clowns. tree →
• Three clowns climbed out of one tiny car. tree →
• The clown juggled four balls and dropped every one. tree →

Note

Countable: a clown, clowns. Verb past: clowned. «Clown fish» (or clownfish) is a small orange-and-white fish, not a person. As an insult it is rude; do not use it about classmates. Maths problems may count clowns or balloons: «Each clown has 5 balloons» means multiply.