clown

noun KLOWN Rare

Origin: From English 'clown'.

Usage Note

Clown is an invariable masculine borrowing from English — il clown, i clown. Italian also has the native pagliaccio, which is more common in everyday speech and carries the same meaning. Clown tends to appear in more modern or international contexts. Both words are used figuratively to call someone a fool: non fare il clown ('stop clowning around').

Examples

"Il clown ha fatto ridere tutti i bambini."

Natural Translation

The clown made all the children laugh.

Literal Translation

The clown has made laugh all the children.

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