adj
clownish
Clownish (adj) means behaving in a silly, comical way, like a clown in a circus.
adj
1
Behaving in a silly, comical way, like a clown in a circus.
"Even worse, the zombies' clownish makeup, with a stark white base and black shoe polish around the eyes, looks amateurish."
— Bryan Senn, Drums of Terror: Voodoo in the Cinema (1998)
"Indeed, when in close quarters to Rooney, it must prove almost irresistible to stick a plastic moustache and silly clownish shoes on the potato-headed fool."
— Laura Barton, The Guardian (2005)
"Once again, City's defending was clownish. James McArthur drove into the area on the left and pulled a low cross towards the far post, where the horribly timid Gaël Clichy allowed Perch to bundle the ball past Costel Pantilimon."
— Jacob Steinberg, Wigan shock Manchester City in FA Cup again to reach semi-finals (2014)
2
Simple and unsophisticated, like a peasant from the countryside.
3
Lacking good manners or education; rough in behaviour.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like clownish.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of clownish?
"clownish" (adj) means behaving in a silly, comical way, like a clown in a circus.
What is another word for clownish?
Other words for "clownish" include clownlike, buffoonish, zany.
What is the opposite of clownish?
Opposites of "clownish" include urbane, genteel, civil, refined, polished.
What are the different meanings of clownish?
"clownish" has 3 main meanings: 1. Behaving in a silly, comical way, like a clown in a circus; 2. Simple and unsophisticated, like a peasant from the countryside; 3. Lacking good manners or education; rough in behaviour.