Jest
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /d͡ʒɛst/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Jest is a noun meaning To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.
Meaning
To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.
More Meanings
- (African-American Vernacular, Southern US, Shropshire) Pronunciation spelling of just.
- (archaic, typically uncountable) An act performed for amusement; a joke.
- (archaic) Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.
- (obsolete) A deed; an action; a gest.
- (obsolete) A mask; a pageant; an interlude.
Example Sentences
Surely you jest!
the jests or actions of princes
I made that comment in jest; it wasn't serious.
Your majesty, stop him before he makes you the jest of the court.
Word Forms
- jests
- jesting
- jested
Synonyms for jest
Depending on context, synonyms include prank, gag, laughingstock, banter, crack, wisecrack.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include joke, jocularity, laugh, gag, wheeze, yak.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.