Pierrot (en. Pierrot)

[pjɛʁo]

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
Character from theatrical tradition, representing a melancholic clown.
The pierrot in the play was poignantly sad.
Le pierrot dans la pièce était d'une tristesse poignante.
Word used to designate a shy or awkward young man.
He is so pierrot with girls that he never dares to speak to them.
Il est tellement pierrot avec les filles qu'il n'ose jamais leur parler.
Wooden figurine representing a clown, often used as a toy.
The children loved playing with their wooden pierrot.
Les enfants adoraient jouer avec leur pierrot en bois.

Etymology

Derived from the Italian 'Pietro', a diminutive of 'Pietro' which means 'Peter'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to look like a pierrot
to have a sad or melancholic appearance
avoir l'air d'un pierrot
to play the pierrot
to act in a naive or clumsy manner
faire le pierrot
the heart of a pierrot
to have a sensitive and fragile heart
le cœur d'un pierrot

Related Words

guitar
An instrument often associated with the melancholic ambiance of this character.
guitare
comedy
A theatrical form in which the pierrot often finds his place.
comédie
clown
A comic character, often linked to the world of pierrot.
clown

Slang Meanings

A man who lacks virility.
He behaves like a pierrot, not daring to defend his opinions.
Il se comporte comme un pierrot, n'osant pas défendre ses opinions.
A naive or a dreamer.
In the group, he is the one who is often treated like a pierrot.
Dans le groupe, c'est celui qui est souvent traité comme un pierrot.