Coulrophobia is abnormal or exaggerated fear of clowns. The condition is common among children, but is also sometimes found in teenagers and adults. Sufferers sometimes acquire a fear of clowns after a bad experience with one personally. In several fictions and thrillers, filmmakers have successfully made use of this concept where the antagonist is shown to be dressed like a clown and committing crimes in concealing outfits. such as the monster that took on the disguise of a clown in Stephen King’s novel and film It.

Coulrophobia can also be said to extend to a fear of covering up one’s face with paint—the idea of hiding recognisable features under a layer of face paint can also unsettle coulrophobia sufferers.

Symptoms of coulrophobia can include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating,or nausea after exposure to clowns or, clown-related media.