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clownish

clownish

4 4.5
Acting in a silly, exaggerated way like a clown
  • adjective
  • /ˈklaʊnɪʃ/
: payaso
  • But Victoria was through philosophizing and in a clownish mood again.

This is the most clownish lawsuit argument I could ever potentially imagine.

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Examples

  • Ellen felt a sudden great affection for this harmless, clownish man who had been her accomplice.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • When a child exhibits clownish behavior or makes a funny remark, the child is most likely reprimanded by the teacher.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Her expression was clownish in its sadness.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • This is the most clownish lawsuit argument I could ever potentially imagine.

  • Her chubby, clownish face might have pleased Fellini.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • You don't have to be an animal lover to be charmed by their clownish faces, their waddling walk, and their chubby-dumpling bodies.

    Blog text (8)
  • Andy usually wore bright, clashing colors that gave him a slightly clownish appearance.

  • Even at this ungodly hour, Rossi wore a clownish, lopsided grin.

  • Some hospitals even have 'humor carts' with such things as clownish noses, silly glasses, and wind-up toys.

Synonyms

goofy
vsclownish
  • Informal
122 3.5

Silly in a funny, slightly foolish way

is more like acting foolish and comical than just harmless absurdity
zany
vsclownish
14 7.6

Funny and odd in a silly way that makes people laugh

is more directly silly and comical rather than eccentric or odd
cartoonish
vsclownish
9 4.2

Very exaggerated and silly like a cartoon

is about real life foolish acting rather than purely stylized visual exaggeration
farcical
vsclownish
6 8.5

A situation that is very silly and unlikely, like a comic play

is more simple foolish or comical behavior rather than broad absurd situations
cartoony
vsclownish
5 4.6

Showing bright colors, simple shapes, and big, funny actions to look playful

is less about visual exaggeration and more about simple foolish acting
dippy
vsclownish
  • Informal
4 8.2

Being silly and a little strange in a friendly way

is more clearly intentional foolish acting meant to be comical rather than just confused
dipsy
vsclownish
  • Informal
1 9.8

Acting silly and playful in a slightly strange but friendly way

is more overtly comical and foolish rather than merely playful or silly
goony
vsclownish
  • Informal
1 8.9

Silly and awkward in a clumsy, funny way

emphasizes deliberate comical behaving rather than only awkward clumsiness
buffoonish
vsclownish
1 8.3

Silly and exaggerated in a way that looks like a clown

is more gently playful and simple foolish rather than loud theatrical absurdity
slapsticky
vsclownish
  • Informal
1 7.9

Funny in a silly physical way like clumsy falls and loud actions

is broader covering general foolish and comical acting beyond physical gags
clownlike
vsclownish
1 4.8

Silly and playful in appearance or behaviour

focuses on acting or appearing comically and foolishly rather than mere resemblance

Antonyms

∞ 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

185 2.7

Showing good judgment and making practical choices

How Silly

ridiculous
∞ 1.6
clownish
4 4.5
silly
944 1.0
amusing
174 1.0
playful
72 1.6

Surface Forms

clownish positive
clownisher comparative
clownishest superlative

Morphology

clownish = clown (transparent) = clown + ish

Productive adjectival suffix '-ish' adds 'having the qualities of a clown', which learners can directly infer from 'clown'.

Etymology

Clownish comes from clown, a word that came to mean a funny, often clumsy performer, and the ending -ish, which means 'like' or 'having the quality of'. So, to be clownish is to act 'like a clown' — silly, foolish, or comical.