clown around vs clown

clown around is not a noun while clown is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
clown around	No	No	Yes	No
clown	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, clown around and clown are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of clown around include antic.

clown around (noun)	clown (noun)
	a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
	a rude or vulgar fool

clown around (verb)	clown (verb)
act as or like a clown	act as or like a clown