class clown
4 synonyms for class clown, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The pupil in a school class who constantly plays up for laughs — interrupting the teacher, pulling faces and performing for classmates instead of working.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use class clown
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the class clown
play the class clown
voted class clown
Informal. Affectionate from classmates, exasperated from teachers.
Frequently asked questions
Is being the class clown a bad thing?
It is usually harmless attention-seeking rather than misbehaviour, though it can cost the pupil and the class real learning time. Many performers and comedians describe having been the class clown, and teachers often try to redirect the impulse rather than crush it.
What is the difference between a class clown and a troublemaker?
A class clown wants laughter and stops when they get it. A troublemaker wants to disrupt or defy, and the reaction they are chasing is not amusement.
