Does your book include a clown in it that is frightening? Would some words to describe a scary clown help you write this character? Read on!
1. Creepy
Definition
- Strange and frightening.
- Making someone feel uncomfortable.
Examples
“The clown turned to him and gave a creepy grin that creased the makeup on his cheeks.”
“He found that there was always something creepy about clowns. He was never sure whether it was the face paint or the person behind it.”
How it Adds Description
Clowns have a tendency to make many people feel uneasy, whether they are innocent ones at the fair, or look like something straight out of a horror movie. Describe them or their actions as “creepy” to show how scary they are and how uncomfortable they make your characters feel.
2. Deranged
Definition
Unable to think clearly or control one’s actions.
Examples
“After so long spent in the dark and away from regular society, the clown had become deranged.”
“Deranged and disenfranchised with the rest of the world, the clown sought to change things one warped smile at a time.”
How it Adds Description
Often, clowns in horror stories end up going a bit insane! This can cause them to act in an unpredictable manner and perhaps lead them to impulses beyond their control. If something has happened to the clown in your story to make them this way, consider the word “deranged”.
3. Impish
Definition
- Enjoying causing trouble in a childish way.
- Behavior that is playful but likely to upset others.
Examples
“Although the clown’s demeanor seemed impish and innocent, if you looked into his eyes you could see something more sinister beneath the surface.”
“As soon as the adults were not looking, the clown’s impish smile turned into a devilish grin.”
How it Adds Description
“Impish” strikes the perfect balance between being playful and being evil, which is something that a lot of clowns, especially in horror stories, seem to embody. Often this is a great starting point for a scary clown character, who can then start to descend more and more into madness.
4. Insidious
Definition
Unpleasantly causing harm in a gradual manner, often unknown to others.
Examples
“It was easy given the clown’s large stature to be able to overpower his victims, but there was something much more satisfying about gradually taking an insidious hold over them.”
“His insidious actions had started to turn the entire fairground against him.”
How it Adds Description
Often, scary or evil clowns can resort to trickery and secrecy when carrying out their nefarious deeds, often hiding the true nature of their actions behind their performance. If the clown in your story takes the slow, corrupting approach, try describing them as “insidious”.
5. Maniacal
Definition
Wild and crazy.
Examples
“The clown let out a maniacal laugh which echoed throughout the empty fairground.”
“The clown’s act started out normally, but as time progressed it grew more and more maniacal to the point where people started to leave.”
How it Adds Description
Usually often associated with laughter, “maniacal” can also be used to describe anything or that is just a little bit out there. Although your clown may indeed have a “maniacal” laugh, you can also describe their actions in this way too, especially if they go against the grain.
6. Sinister
Definition
- Giving a feeling that something bad is about to happen.
- Evil.
Examples
“As the detective walked through the clown’s abandoned caravan, the sinister nature of his crimes became more apparent.”
“The sinister smile that the clown gave him sent a shiver down his spine. That was before he saw the knife gleaming in his hand.”
How it Adds Description
If you need to tease that the clown in your story is going to be evil or monstrous, try describing them as “sinister”. This can then leave your readers on edge, wondering when exactly your clown is going to turn on the other characters!
7. Uncanny
Definition
Strange and mysterious, but usually in a way that is unsettling and frightening.
Examples
“The uncanny nature of the clown’s face paint put him on edge. He didn’t know why, but somehow it seemed to remind him of the child that went missing 3 weeks ago.”
“For someone that had such an enormous stage presence in the big top, he also had the uncanny ability to be able to disappear once the spotlights had gone out.”
How it Adds Description
Clowns have always had a link to the “uncanny”, often due to the fact that their faces look similar to normal faces but are distorted in some way through makeup and prosthetics. This often leads others to be frightened of them. However, “uncanny” can also be used to help to illustrate various abilities or quirks that a character might have that unsettles others, including your reader.
8. Unhinged
Definition
Crazy or appearing mentally ill.
Examples
“After constant abuse and punishment from the ringmaster, the clown had gone from sweet and shy to totally unhinged.”
“The clown had lost it. Not only was his face paint cracked and peeling, but there was an unhinged look in his eyes that made the rest of the performers realize that they needed to run.”
How it Adds Description
If you need to write about a scary clown that is at the very height of madness, try using “unhinged” to describe them. The word also brings up images of a door being broken off of its hinges, helping you to compare this to their mental state.
9. Unnerving
Definition
Making someone feel frightened or less confident.
Examples
“There is something about clowns that makes them completely unnerving to some, yet others find them fascinating.”
“The presence of the clown was unnerving. He knew he was not meant to be in the acrobats’ tent, so why was he looming over the entranceway like that?”
How it Adds Description
Clowns can often be unsettling, and that is especially the case of clowns that are included in horror writing. Often, this feeling can be at play even before the clown has done anything bad, but they seem to have a negative effect on people. Try using “unnerving” to describe the effect they have on others.
10. Unpredictable
Definition
Changing suddenly and without reason.
Examples
“As the clown gamboled across the circus ring, his unpredictable antics had the audience in stitches. However, Simone wasn’t laughing, as a lump began to rise in her throat. She knew exactly what he had done.”
“The unpredictable nature of the circus’s touring schedule meant that it was easy for the clown to be able to cover up his crimes.”
How it Adds Description
Clowns can be scary because it can be hard to tell what they are going to do next, as their whole act is based around performing crazy stunts that others wouldn’t even think of! Their “unpredictable” nature can keep your characters and your reader guessing whether their next action is going to be good or bad.