English Dictionary
Definition of “jest”
jest (dʒɛst
)
Definitions
noun
- something done or said for amusement; joke
- a frivolous mood or attitude; playfulness; fun ⇒
to act in jest
- a jeer or taunt
- an object of derision; laughing stock; butt
verb
- to act or speak in an amusing, teasing, or frivolous way; joke
- to make fun of (a person or thing); scoff or mock
Alternative Forms
ˈjestful adjective ˈjesting adjective noun ˈjestingly adverb Word Origin
C13: variant of gest
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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joke,
play,
crack,
sally,
gag,
quip,
josh,
banter,
hoax,
prank,
wisecrack,
pleasantry,
witticism,
jape,
bon mot,
sport,
fun,
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joke,
kid,
mock,
tease,
sneer,
jeer,
quip,
josh,
scoff,
banter,
deride,
chaff,
gibe,
Quotations
"a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy"
William Shakespeare"Many a truth lie in jest"
Usage examples
He was a very merry fellow altogether, full of jest , a marvellous advert for the AA.
Anthony Masters, CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)Don't jest or try to use small talk or humour as an "ice breaker".
Business Today (2002)Nor will he, Tommy said, only half in jest , until his beloved Leafs make the Stanley Cup final.
Globe and Mail (2003)Children are made aware of the adverse effects that teasing or ridiculing others, even in jest , can have on self-confidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2004)A counterblast of a publication asked how an English heart could `conceive such ideas, even in jest , what horror!
Hibbert, Christopher, Red Coats and Rebels - the war for America 1770-1781 (1990)
