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View synonyms for jest

jest

[ jest ]

noun

  1. a joke or witty remark; witticism.

    Synonyms: quip

  2. a bantering remark; a piece of good-natured ridicule; taunt.

    Synonyms: gibe, jape

  3. sport or fun:

    to speak half in jest, half in earnest.

  4. the object of laughter, sport, or mockery; laughing-stock.

    Synonyms: butt

  5. Obsolete. an exploit. Compare gest.


verb (used without object)

  1. to speak in a playful, humorous, or facetious way; joke.
  2. to speak or act in mere sport, rather than in earnest; trifle (often followed by with ):

    Please don't jest with me.

  3. to utter derisive speeches; gibe or scoff.

verb (used with object)

  1. to deride or joke at; banter.

jest

/ dʒɛst /

noun

  1. something done or said for amusement; joke
  2. a frivolous mood or attitude; playfulness; fun

    to act in jest

  3. a jeer or taunt
  4. an object of derision; laughing stock; butt


verb

  1. to act or speak in an amusing, teasing, or frivolous way; joke
  2. to make fun of (a person or thing); scoff or mock

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Derived Forms

  • ˈjestingly, adverb
  • ˈjesting, adjectivenoun
  • ˈjestful, adjective

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Other Words From

  • jestful adjective
  • jesting·ly adverb
  • outjest verb (used with object)
  • un·jesting adjective
  • un·jesting·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of jest1

1250–1300; Middle English; variant spelling of gest

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Word History and Origins

Origin of jest1

C13: variant of gest

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Synonym Study

See joke.

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Example Sentences

This is the experience that some people—not I, mind you, but some people—have when reading Infinite Jest, for instance.

After a while, he began to jest that there were snipers across the street trying to get him.

Rawcus has to provide a solid argument in his rhetoric to make such an accusation, even in jest.

And this explosion was fictional and in jest, so you can call it a pretty big hoot!

It may have been said in jest, but a legion of Hollywood actresses would have nodded ruefully in unison.

I've tried to teach lots of folks; an' sum learns quick, an' some don't never learn; it's jest 's 't strikes 'em.

I allow we shan't never set eyes on ter her, Jos. I've got jest thet feelin' abaout it.

I never see sech hosses; 'n' they're jest like kittens; they've ben drefful pets, I allow.

I ain't a gwine ter back daown naow; but I dew jest wish Jeff Hyer wuz along.

But I allow they'd flatten us all aout in jest abaout a minnit, if they wuz to set aout tew!

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