antic

• Adjectif désuet qualifiant quelque chose de grotesque, d'excentrique ou de bouffon dans son apparence ou son comportement, souvent lié à des gestes ou des attitudes bizarres.

An old-fashioned adjective describing something that is bizarre, grotesque, or clownish in appearance or behavior.

1. Playfully odd or grotesqueC1formal

   Characterized by ludicrous, bizarre, or clownish behavior or appearance.

   bizarre et clownesque

   • The jester wore an antic costume with bells and bright colors.
   • His antic gestures made the children laugh uncontrollably.
   • The painting featured antic figures in a surreal landscape.

   Synonymesbizarreclownishcomicalfancifulfarcicalfreakishgrotesqueludicrousoddwhimsicalzany

   Antonymesgraveserioussolemn

2. Clownish or absurdC1formal

   Resembling or relating to the actions of a clown; deliberately absurd or funny.

   bouffon, clownesque

   • The comedian's antic performance delighted the audience.
   • She made antic faces to cheer up her friend.
   • The play was full of antic humor and slapstick comedy.

   Synonymesabsurdbuffoonishclownishcomicaldrollfarcicalgrotesqueludicrouswhimsicalzany

   Antonymesdignifiedgraveserioussolemn

• Nom désignant une action ou un comportement ludique, amusant ou souvent absurde, généralement accompli pour divertir.

A noun referring to a playful, funny, or often absurd action or behavior, typically done for amusement.

1. Playful or silly behaviorB2informal

   A funny, strange, or exaggerated action, often intended to amuse others.

   pitrerie

   • The children's antics at the party made everyone laugh.
   • His clownish antics were the highlight of the show.
   • The puppy's playful antics kept us entertained for hours.

   Synonymescapercapricedidoescapadefrolicgambolhorseplaylarkmischiefprankshenaniganstunttomfoolerytrick

   Antonymesseriousnesssobriety

2. Acting like a clownB2informal

   To behave in a silly or exaggerated way, similar to a clown.

   Clownerie

   • He anticked around the stage, making funny faces.
   • The comedian anticked to get the audience laughing.
   • Stop anticking and focus on the task at hand.

   Synonymesbuffoonerycaperclowningescapadefrolicgambollarkprankstunttrick

3. Odd or grotesque appearanceC1formal

   Something that is strange, unusual, or bizarre in a humorous way.

   Apparence grotesque

   • The antique shop was filled with antic figurines.
   • His antic costume drew curious stares from the crowd.
   • The painting depicted an antic scene of dancing animals.

   Synonymesanomalycuriosityfreakgrotesquemonstrosityodditypeculiarity

   Antonymesnormalityordinariness

• Verbe vieilli signifiant faire des singeries, se comporter de manière enjouée ou grotesque, ou jouer des tours.

An archaic or obsolete verb meaning to perform antics or behave playfully or grotesquely.

1. To perform playful or silly actsB2informal

   To behave in a playful, funny, or clownish manner, often to amuse others.

   Faire le clown

   • The children anticked around the playground, making everyone laugh.
   • He anticked like a clown at the birthday party.
   • They anticked for the camera, pulling funny faces.

   Synonymescapercavortclownfrolicgambolplayromp

2. To act in a grotesque or ludicrous wayC1informal

   To behave in an odd, exaggerated, or absurd manner, often for comedic effect.

   Faire des clowneries

   • The comedian anticked on stage, mimicking the audience.
   • She anticked wildly, pretending to be a monster.
   • He anticked so much that everyone thought he was a professional jester.

   Synonymescapercavortclownfrolicgambollarkrollickrompskylark