Buffoon vs. Idiot — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 9, 2024
A buffoon is a person who intentionally acts in a silly or comical manner to entertain others, often through exaggerated behavior. An idiot, on the other hand, refers to someone perceived as unintelligent or lacking common sense.
Difference Between Buffoon and Idiot
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A buffoon is known for deliberately engaging in humorous behavior, often exaggerating their actions to make people laugh. An idiot is seen as someone who genuinely lacks intelligence or acts foolishly without realizing it.
Buffoons usually play the role of comedic entertainers and may even perform professionally. Idiots are not necessarily performers but are characterized by their perceived lack of mental capability or poor decision-making.
Buffoons use humor intentionally to entertain, often in social situations or on stage. Idiots, in contrast, may unintentionally cause amusement or frustration due to their ignorance or lack of common sense.
Buffoons have historically been employed as court jesters or comedic actors, respected for their entertainment skills. Idiot, however, has a more negative connotation, being used as an insult to describe people lacking intelligence.
Buffoons can switch between humorous and serious behavior, while idiots typically exhibit consistent levels of perceived incompetence or ignorance.
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Comparison Chart
Intentionality
Intentional, comedic behavior
Unintentional lack of intelligence
Profession
Sometimes a performer or entertainer
Not associated with any profession
Purpose
To amuse others deliberately
Usually unaware of their actions
Historical Role
Court jesters, comedic actors
Insulting term with a negative history
Perception
Seen as funny or entertaining
Seen as unintelligent or senseless
Compare with Definitions
Buffoon
A historical entertainer known for making jokes or providing amusement.
Court buffoons were known for mocking the nobility humorously.
Idiot
A person who is easily deceived or tricked due to ignorance.
They made an idiot of him by selling a useless product.
Buffoon
Someone who exaggerates their actions to amuse an audience.
The comedian played the buffoon to perfection in his latest skit.
Idiot
A pejorative term often used to insult someone perceived as dumb.
She called her brother an idiot after he broke her favorite vase.
Buffoon
A comedic character in literature or theater.
Shakespeare's plays often featured buffoon characters for comic relief.
Idiot
A person who is considered unintelligent or lacking common sense.
He acted like an idiot when he forgot his own address.
Buffoon
A person who entertains through silly or comical behavior.
The buffoon made everyone laugh with his outrageous costume.
Idiot
An individual who behaves foolishly or makes poor decisions.
Don't be an idiot; follow the safety instructions carefully.
Buffoon
An individual who deliberately behaves ridiculously.
He acted the buffoon at the party, much to the amusement of the guests.
Idiot
Historically, a term used to describe people with cognitive disabilities.
The word idiot was once a clinical term for certain mental disabilities.
Buffoon
A clown; a jester
A court buffoon.
Idiot
An idiot, in modern use, is a stupid or foolish person. 'Idiot' was formerly a technical term in legal and psychiatric contexts for some kinds of profound intellectual disability where the mental age is two years or less, and the person cannot guard themself against common physical dangers.
Buffoon
A person given to clowning and joking.
Idiot
A stupid person.
Buffoon
A ludicrous or bumbling person; a fool.
Idiot
A person who is considered foolish or stupid.
Buffoon
One who acts in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool.
Idiot
A person with profound intellectual disability having a mental age below three years and generally unable to learn connected speech or guard against common dangers. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.
Buffoon
(pejorative) An unintentionally ridiculous person.
Idiot
(pejorative) A person of low general intelligence.
Buffoon
To behave like a buffoon
Idiot
(pejorative) A person who makes stupid decisions; a fool.
We think that people who cycle without a helmet are idiots.
Buffoon
A man who makes a practice of amusing others by low tricks, antic gestures, etc.; a droll; a mimic; a harlequin; a clown; a merry-andrew.
Idiot
A person of the lowest intellectual standing, a person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal four-year-old; a person with an IQ below 30.
Buffoon
Characteristic of, or like, a buffoon.
To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances.
Idiot
(uncommon) idiotic, stupid
Buffoon
To act the part of a buffoon.
Idiot
A man in private station, as distinguished from one holding a public office.
St. Austin affirmed that the plain places of Scripture are sufficient to all laics, and all idiots or private persons.
Buffoon
To treat with buffoonery.
Idiot
An unlearned, ignorant, or simple person, as distinguished from the educated; an ignoramus.
Christ was received of idiots, of the vulgar people, and of the simpler sort, while he was rejected, despised, and persecuted even to death by the high priests, lawyers, scribes, doctors, and rabbis.
Buffoon
A rude or vulgar fool
Idiot
A human being destitute of the ordinary intellectual powers, whether congenital, developmental, or accidental; commonly, a person without understanding from birth; a natural fool. In a former classification of mentally retarded people, idiot designated a person whose adult level of intelligence was equivalent to that of a three-year old or younger; this corresponded with an I.Q. level of approximately 25 or less.
Life . . . is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.
Buffoon
A person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
Idiot
A fool; a simpleton; - a term of reproach.
Weenest thou make an idiot of our dame?
Idiot
A person of subnormal intelligence
Common Curiosities
Can an idiot become a buffoon?
It's possible if the person starts deliberately using humor.
Are buffoons limited to acting roles?
No, they can playfully entertain in everyday situations too.
Is idiot still used in clinical contexts?
No, it's now considered offensive and outdated as a clinical term.
Is a buffoon always seen as negative?
Not always. Buffoons can be respected for their comedic skills.
Was the term idiot always insulting?
Historically, it was a clinical term, but it later became derogatory.
Are buffoons skilled in any way?
Yes, buffoons often possess comedic skills and can entertain effectively.
Can an idiot learn to be less foolish?
It's possible through education and guidance.
Do buffoons have a specific role in literature?
They often serve as comic relief or to critique social norms.
Do buffoons and idiots overlap?
Sometimes, if a person unintentionally acts in a humorous but foolish way.
Can buffoons be serious sometimes?
Yes, buffoons can switch to serious behavior when needed.
Can someone behave like a buffoon occasionally?
Yes, even sensible people can act playfully at times.
Are buffoons always intentional in their humor?
They generally aim to be funny, but their actions may sometimes appear unintended.
Is buffoon a commonly used term today?
It's used less often but still understood in comedic contexts.
Is it offensive to call someone an idiot?
Yes, it is often considered an insult.
Can idiots and buffoons both be endearing characters?
In fiction, both can have endearing qualities despite their flaws.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
