Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Buffoon

//bəˈfuːn// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    One who performs in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool.

    "To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances."

  2. 2
    a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior wordnet
  3. 3
    An unintentionally ridiculous person. derogatory
  4. 4
    a rude or vulgar fool wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To behave like a buffoon

    "His mimicry of gay speech and facial expressions is analogous to an Amos 'n' Andy routine, in which white men buffooned their way through incredibly demeaning impersonations of black men."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French bouffon, from Italian buffone (“jester”), from buffare (“to puff out the cheeks”), of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Middle High German buffen ("to puff"; > German büffen), Old English pyffan (“to breathe out, blow with the mouth”). More at English puff.

Etymology 2

From Middle French bouffon, from Italian buffone (“jester”), from buffare (“to puff out the cheeks”), of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Middle High German buffen ("to puff"; > German büffen), Old English pyffan (“to breathe out, blow with the mouth”). More at English puff.

See also for "buffoon"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: buffoon