Definition

A short, fat clown or buffoon often seen in Italian puppet shows, characterized by a humped back and a comical appearance.

Example

The punchinello entertained the children with his silly antics and exaggerated movements.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a punchinello in a puppet show?

Yeah, those characters are always so funny and exaggerated!

I love how they always make the audience laugh with their silly antics.

Absolutely! A good punchinello can really steal the show.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Punchinello → The word originates from Italian 'punchinello', which is a diminutive form of 'punch', referring to a puppet character in Italian commedia dell'arte. It describes a stock character known for its comical and mischievous nature, often depicted as a hunchbacked figure.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small puppet ('punchinello') that is comical and mischievous, helping you remember that this word refers to a playful character.

Visually Confused Words