Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

clowning

/ˈklaʊnɪŋ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.63 in modern English

Syllables: clown-ing
IPA: /ˈklaʊnɪŋ/

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Clownish behavior.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The practice and study thereof.

Countable; Uncountable

verb

present participle and gerund of clown

Example Sentences

"The press took seriously all Shaw's provocative ambiguities and clownings, and Lady Astor was identified with his most outrageous actions and statements."
"But it’s also a sign of the ascendant state of clowning, which, not long ago, resided in the bargain basement of artistic respect, alongside ventriloquists, mimes and jugglers. No longer."

Usage

Inflected Forms

clownings (plural)

Derived Forms

clowningly

Synonyms

buffoonery japery frivolity harlequinade prank drollery comedy funniness

Rhymes With

drowning downing browning crowning frowning chowning

Questions

How do you pronounce clowning?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈklaʊnɪŋ/.
What does clowning mean?: Clownish behavior.

How to pronounce clowning

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “clowning”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈklaʊnɪŋ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “clowning”.
Repeat and practice — Say “clowning” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.