buffoon

noun

buf·​foon (ˌ)bə-ˈfün 

1

: a ludicrous figure : clown

2

: a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person

acting like a ridiculous buffoon

buffoonish

(ˌ)bə-ˈfü-nish 

adjective

Synonyms

• buffo
• clown
• harlequin
• zany

Examples of buffoon in a Sentence

Stop acting like a buffoon.

the children at the birthday party giggled at the buffoon's silly tricks

Recent Examples on the Web

Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025

Washington has become the court of Nero: an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers, and a buffoon on ketamine tasked with purging the civil service. —Claude Malhuret, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025

Adam Silver, once the model for league commissioners, is suddenly a buffoon? —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025

The character with which I have been identified, that of the raucous buffoon, is merely a studied portrayal. —Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French bouffon, from Old Italian buffone

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for buffoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn
• jejune

Kids Definition

buffoon

noun

buf·​foon (ˌ)bə-ˈfün 

1

: clown entry 1 sense 2

2

: a crude or stupid person