noun

a comic entertainer, especially one in a circus, wearing a traditional costume and exaggerated make-up.

a circus clown

comic entertainer,Pierrot,comedian,jester,fool,zany,harlequin,merry andrew,Punchinello

verb

behave in a comical or playful way.

Harvey clowned around pretending to be a dog

fool around,fool about,play the fool,act foolishly,act the clown/fool/goat,play about,play around,monkey about,monkey around,play tricks,indulge in horseplay,engage in high jinks,joke,jest,mess about,mess around,horse about,horse around,dick around,muck about,muck around,lark (about),lark (around),cut up,play the giddy goat,piss about,piss around,arse about,arse around,bugger about,bugger around