A buffoon is someone whose ridiculous behavior is a source of amusement to others. People you might call a buffoon are a political rival or the guy at work who tells silly jokes at office parties. The noun buffoon has changed its spelling over the years, but not really its meaning.

Is buffoon a British word?

Originally recorded as a rare Scots word for a kind of pantomime dance, the term later (late 16th cent.) denoted a professional jester.

What is a buffoon person?

1 : a ludicrous figure : clown. 2 : a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person acting like a ridiculous buffoon. Other Words from buffoon Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About buffoon.