clownery
Absurd comedic behavior
Clownery is foolish or absurd behavior, the kind of antics you'd expect from a clown.
The word carries mild disapproval—someone engaged in clownery isn't being taken seriously: I'm tired of his clownery; we have work to do.
It can describe deliberate buffoonery or unintentional foolishness that invites ridicule.
Exaggerated physical humor
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- sketchHasty informal drawing
gag · shtick · pratfall · punchline · comic relief · physical comedy · mugging · timing
Foolish or silly behavior
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- foolishnessUnwise conduct
- sillinessFrivolous, absurd behavior
- goofinessPlayful, harmless foolishness
antics · horseplay · high jinks · monkeyshines · mummery · japery · frolics · hijinks
Meaningless words or actions
- ridiculousnessQuality of being laughable
- ludicrousnessQuality of being laughable
- absurdityWildly illogical quality
- farcicalityQuality of being ludicrous
preposterousness · outrageousness · zaniness · madness · craziness · inanity · senselessness · foolhardiness
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
sketch · gag · shtick · pratfall · punchline · comic relief · physical comedy · mugging · timing · bit
tomfoolery
Foolish or silly behavior
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- foolishnessUnwise conduct
- sillinessFrivolous, absurd behavior
goofiness · antics · horseplay · high jinks · monkeyshines · mummery · japery · frolics · hijinks · prankishness
nonsense
Meaningless words or actions
- ridiculousnessQuality of being laughable
- ludicrousnessQuality of being laughable
- absurdityWildly illogical quality
farcicality · preposterousness · outrageousness · zaniness · madness · craziness · inanity · senselessness · foolhardiness · stupidity
parody
Satirical imitation
- satireMockery exposing vice
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
spoof · burlesque · ridicule · send-up · travesty · mimicry · impersonation · irony · sarcasm · pastiche
joking
Saying things in fun
wisecracks · quips · jocular · levity · merriment · playfulness · teasing · kidding · joshing · funning
- tomfoolerysilliness, foolery, goofing off, fooling around, tomfoolery
- nonsensenonsense, absurd, gibberish, gobbledegook, gobbledygook
clownerywisdom
Good judgment from experience
profundity · sagacity · erudition · thoughtfulness · intellectualism
clowneryprofessionalism
Workplace conduct standards
competence · credibility · earnestness · diligence · responsibility
- clowned aroundActed foolishly for laughs
- clowned onPublicly mocked or teased
- clowned aboutBehaved in silly manner