Buffoon

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -uːn

Origin

From Middle French bouffon, from Italian buffone ("jester"), from buffare ("to puff out the cheeks")

Full definition of buffoon

Noun

1. One who acts in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool.
• MelmothTo divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances.
2. (pejorative) An unintentionally ridiculous person.

Usage notes

In the United States the term is used most commonly to describe inappropriate, clownish figures on the public stage; here the behavior of a variety of public figures have caused them to be described as buffoons by their political opponents.

In the UK the term is used more broadly, to describe such people who are held in popular regard but who nevertheless engender amusement with their pronouncements and acts.

Derived terms

• buffoonery

Verb

1. To behave like a buffoon
• His mimicry of gay speech and facial expressions is analagous to an Amos 'n' Andy routine, in which white men buffooned their way through incredibly demeaning impersonations of black men.