buffo

noun

ˈbü-(ˌ)fō How to pronounce buffo (audio)
Definition of buffonext
as in clown
a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior in the comic opera, the buffo shared his entrance aria with a grimacing mime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffo
  1. clown
  2. harlequin
Noun
  • The brand featured a thematic clown mascot and the beloved product was sold in famously reusable glassware.
    — Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
  • What followed were Zoom-inclusive mediation meetings, the revelation of tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and something about clown school.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • The Cézanne is Arlequin, 1888-90, from a set of four harlequin paintings and the only one not held by a museum.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Colorado potato beetles target potato plants, while harlequin beetles do damage to brassica family plants like kale, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 3 June 2026
Definition of harlequin
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

buffing
buffo
buffoon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buffo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffo. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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