0%

buffoon

buf·foon
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [buh-foon]
    • /bəˈfun/
    • /bəˈfuːn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [buh-foon]
    • /bəˈfun/

Definitions of buffoon word

  • countable noun buffoon If you call someone a buffoon, you mean that they often do foolish things. 3
  • noun buffoon a person who amuses others by ridiculous or odd behaviour, jokes, etc 3
  • noun buffoon a foolish person 3
  • noun buffoon a person who is always clowning and trying to be funny; clown 3
  • noun buffoon a person who amuses others by tricks, jokes, odd gestures and postures, etc. 1
  • noun buffoon a person given to coarse or undignified joking. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of buffoon

First appearance:

before 1540
One of the 30% oldest English words
1540-50; earlier buffon < French < Italian buffone, equivalent to buff- (expressive base; compare buffa puff of breath, buffare to puff, puff up one's checks) + -one agent suffix ≪ Latin -ō, accusative -ōnem

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Buffoon

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

buffoon popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

buffoon usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for buffoon

noun buffoon

  • clown — A clown is a performer in a circus who wears funny clothes and bright make-up, and does silly things in order to make people laugh.
  • fool — to trick, deceive, or impose on: They tried to fool him.
  • harlequin — (often initial capital letter) a comic character in commedia dell'arte and the harlequinade, usually masked, dressed in multicolored, diamond-patterned tights, and carrying a wooden sword or magic wand.
  • jester — a person who is given to witticisms, jokes, and pranks.
  • joker — a person who jokes.

Top questions with buffoon

  • what is a buffoon?
  • how do you spell buffoon?
  • what does buffoon mean?
  • what is the meaning of buffoon?
  • what is the definition of buffoon?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?