Meaning & use

buffoon

noun·Advanced

A person who behaves in a silly or ridiculous way, especially one who acts foolishly for attention.

See it in a sentence

He played the buffoon at parties, but his colleagues knew how sharp he actually was.

The critic dismissed the politician as a buffoon unfit for serious office.

A note on using this word

Buffoon is usually mildly insulting when applied to someone outside a performance context, implying a lack of seriousness or dignity.

Words with a similar meaning

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