tony
“tony” means “clown” in Spanish (specifically a circus clown).
clown
Also: buffoon
📝 In Action
El tony del circo nos hizo reír mucho con sus zapatos gigantes.
A1The circus clown made us laugh a lot with his giant shoes.
En las fiestas infantiles de mi barrio, siempre contratan a un tony.
A2In my neighborhood's kids' parties, they always hire a clown.
Ese actor tiene alma de tony; siempre está haciendo bromas pesadas.
B1That actor has the soul of a buffoon; he's always playing practical jokes.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tony
Question 1 of 3
If you are at a circus in Chile, what are you most likely to call the person with the red nose?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Named after the famous 19th-century English clown Tony Grice, who became a sensation in Spain and Latin America. His name became synonymous with the profession.
First recorded: Late 19th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tony' an insult?
It can be. Just like 'clown' in English, calling someone a 'tony' outside of a circus suggests they are acting foolish or not being serious.
Will everyone understand me if I use this word?
Not necessarily. While people in Chile and Spain will know it, people in Mexico, Colombia, or Argentina usually prefer the word 'payaso.'
Is it different from 'payaso'?
Technically, a 'tony' is a specific type of clown (the one who gets hit with pies or falls down), but in everyday speech, they are often used as synonyms.