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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

clowning en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈklaʊnɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. (countable, uncountable) Clownish behavior.
    • The press took seriously all Shaw's provocative ambiguities and clownings, and Lady Astor was identified with his most outrageous actions and statements. 1961, Lucille Iremonger, And his charming lady, page 205:
  2. (countable, uncountable) The practice and study thereof.
    • But it’s also a sign of the ascendant state of clowning, which, not long ago, resided in the bargain basement of artistic respect, alongside ventriloquists, mimes and jugglers. No longer. 2025 October 7, Jason Zinoman, “What Clowns! (That’s a Compliment)”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
clownings Number=Plur lexicographic

clowning en · VERB

Pronunciation

  • /ˈklaʊnɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present) present participle and gerund of clown
    form of clown

Deriveds

clowningly

Translations (1)

fi klovneria (study of clowning)