- present participle of clown.
clowning
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For example, you’ll find MooNie the Magnif’Cent, a fair staple who mixes clowning, stunts and comedy, all without speaking.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2026
Or maybe it was that the clowning that marked the career of Ron Luciano masked a deeper sadness that finally claimed the life of baseball’s happy warrior in a size-50 extralong dark blazer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026
But too much clowning around might not look so smart.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2025
The leaders at the summit quickly moved on, but Trump came in for some clowning on social meda.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2025
They had all come back with Purple Hearts, but it didn’t seem as if the war had changed Harley; he was still a little fat, and he still made them laugh, joking and clowning.
From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko
