clowning

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈklaʊnɪŋ/
• Rhymes: -aʊnɪŋ

Noun

clowning (countable and uncountable, plural clownings)

1. Clownish behavior.
   • 1961, Lucille Iremonger, And his charming lady, page 205:

     The press took seriously all Shaw's provocative ambiguities and clownings, and Lady Astor was identified with his most outrageous actions and statements.

2. The practice and study thereof.
   • 2025 October 7, Jason Zinoman, “What Clowns! (That’s a Compliment)”, in The New York Times‎^[1], New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:

     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.

     (Can we archive this URL?)

Verb

clowning

1. present participle and gerund of clown

Translations

clownish behavior — see clownery

study of clowning

• Finnish: klovneria (fi)

Derived terms

• clowningly