punchinello Definition
a grotesque or absurdly dressed clown, traditionally appearing in Italian puppet shows.
Using punchinello: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "punchinello" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The children were delighted by the antics of the punchinello.
Example
The punchinello's exaggerated movements and silly voice made everyone laugh.
Example
The puppeteer manipulated the punchinello with great skill and precision.
punchinello Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with punchinello
play the punchinello
to act foolishly or play the clown
Example
He was playing the punchinello, trying to make everyone laugh.
a game in which players try to knock down a target by throwing balls at it
Example
The carnival had a punchinello game where you could win prizes.
a puppet show featuring the character Punchinello
Example
The children were excited to see the Punchinello show at the fair.
Origins of punchinello
from Italian 'Pulcinella', a character in commedia dell'arte
Summary: punchinello in Brief
The term 'punchinello' [puhn-chuh-nel-oh] refers to a clown-like character that appears in traditional Italian puppet shows. It is often used to describe someone who acts foolishly or plays the clown. The phrase 'play the punchinello' is used to describe such behavior.