Difference Between Joker and Clown

The word joker is also used to describe a playing card, usually printed with a picture of a jester. This is  used in certain games as the highest ranking card or as a wild card.

Many people also associate the word joker with a character in comic books. Joker is a fictional supervillain who is the nemesis of Batman.

What Does Clown Mean?

A clown is a comic entertainer, wearing a traditional costume and exaggerated make-up. Clowns were traditionally a part of a circus. They usually perform slapstick or similar types of physical comedy, often in a mime style. There are different types of clowns.

Whiteface clowns are the oldest type of clowns. This type is divided into two: neat and grotesque. Neat whiteface clowns use little color on the face, but their costumes are white. They are the more intelligent and sophisticated than grotesque clowns.

The grotesque or auguste clowns use a variation of pink, red, tan, and white on their face.  Their features are exaggerated in size and are typically in bold colors. They are dressed in bold colors, and large prints or patterns. Bozo and Ronald McDonald are famous examples of this kind of clowns.

What is the difference between Joker and Clown?

Meaning:

Joker can refer to

– a person who makes or plays jokes

– inept or foolish person

– a playing card

– character in a comic book

Clown is someone who performs in a circus, who wears funny clothes and makeup, and who tries to make people laugh.

 Image Courtesy:

“Joker (Alex Ross)”  taken from the artist’s official website Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. (Fair use) via Commons Wikimedia 

“Clownforlaragiddings” By Laragiddingsofficial – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia