French word

bouffon

Pronunciation

IPA/bufɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlaughingstock

Example

Depuis la vidéo, il est devenu le bouffon du quartier.

Ever since the video, he has become the laughingstock of the neighborhood.

Illustration for bouffon (laughingstock)

More examples

Il avait l'air d'un bouffon après sa chute.

He looked like a fool after his fall.

Core concept

A performer who turns foolish behavior into a public spectacle, whether by choice or through other people's mockery.

Common phrases

  • avoir l'air d'un bouffon

    look like a fool

  • se comporter en bouffon

    behave like a clown

  • faire le bouffon

    act the fool

Similar words

clown: A costumed clown who entertains through makeup, slapstick, and visual tricks.
humoriste: A professional entertainer who makes audiences laugh with jokes and comic material.
comédien: A performer who plays characters in theater or films.
blagueur: A habitual joker who frequently amuses people with jokes.

Definition in French

Artiste qui fait rire par des gestes, des mimiques ou un comportement ridicule ; familièrement, personne considérée comme une risée.

Word origin

French bouffon comes from Italian buffone, which designated a comic entertainer before French extended the word to a person treated as ridiculous.

Usage tips

  • Calling someone un bouffon is normally insulting, even when the word refers to a person who makes others laugh.

Other meanings

  • jesternoun
  • clownnoun

Opposites

  • dignitédignitynoun
  • respectabilitérespectabilitynoun

Related words

  • bouffonneriebuffoonerynoun
  • bouffonnantclownishadjective

Word lists with this word