noun
auguste
ow-GOOST
Auguste (noun) means a type of clumsy, red-nosed circus clown who plays the troublemaker against the more composed whiteface clown. Example: “The auguste tripped over his own oversized shoes to get a laugh from the crowd.”
noun
1
A type of clumsy, red-nosed circus clown who plays the troublemaker against the more composed whiteface clown.
"The auguste tripped over his own oversized shoes to get a laugh from the crowd."
"In the classic clown duo, the whiteface gives the orders and the auguste botches them."
How to use auguste
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bumbling, chaotic clown character in a traditional two-clown circus act.
Common mistake
Not the same word as the month "August" or the name Augustus, even though it looks related.
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Word forms
- Plural
- augustes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ tripped over his own oversized shoes to get a laugh from the crowd.
Etymology
Borrowed from French auguste, itself from a German nickname (dumme August, "silly August") once used for a clumsy fool.
Frequently asked questions
What does “auguste” mean?
The word “auguste” means a type of clumsy, red-nosed circus clown who plays the troublemaker against the more composed whiteface clown. In plain terms, the bumbling, chaotic clown character in a traditional two-clown circus act.
How do you pronounce “auguste”?
“Auguste” is pronounced ow-GOOST (/aʊˈɡuːst/ in IPA).
How do you use “auguste” in a sentence?
Here is “auguste” used in a sentence: “The auguste tripped over his own oversized shoes to get a laugh from the crowd.”
What part of speech is “auguste”?
“Auguste” is a noun.
Where does the word “auguste” come from?
The word “auguste” comes from French. Borrowed from French auguste, itself from a German nickname (dumme August, "silly August") once used for a clumsy fool.
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