noun
buffoon
buh-FOON/bəˈfuːn/
A person who behaves in a foolish or ridiculous way.
The buffoon strikes a pompous pose while balancing a spoon on his nose.
Etymology
Puffing out the cheeks was a comic gesture, connecting buffare with a word for a jest and then a jester. The professional clown’s name broadened to anyone behaving ridiculously.
In context
The character is a buffoon and an idiot and he's extremely incompetent at his job
More examples
- His foolish boasting made him look like a buffoon.
- The comedy pairs a clever servant with a wealthy buffoon.
- She dismissed the noisy troublemaker as a buffoon.
Forms
buffoon · buffoons
buffoonery noun — Foolish or ridiculous behavior.
Similar words
- clown
- Can be a professional entertainer, while buffoon commonly expresses contempt.