NYT Dictionary
BUFFOON
/bəˈfuːn/NounVerbbuf-FOONbuf-foon · 2 syllablesGrade 12
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019
Meaning
One who performs in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle French bouffon, from Italian buffone (“jester”), from buffare (“to puff out the cheeks”), of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Middle High German buffen ("to puff"; > German büffen), Old English pyffan (“to breathe out, blow with the mouth”). More at English puff.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2019.