jest

noun

\ ˈjest

Definition of jest

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a joking or mocking remark a clever jest

2a : prank

b : a ludicrous circumstance or incident a proper jest, and never heard before, that Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth for costs and charges— William Shakespeare

3a : a frivolous mood or manner —usually used with in spoken in jest

b : gaiety and merriment I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of excellent fancy— William Shakespeare

4 : laughingstock

jest

verb

jested; jesting

Definition of jest (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

formal, dated

: to make jokes or jests : to say things intended to be humorous "What's it like to design a building and have an apartment in it and have your name on it?" the architect asks, jesting, with his typically irrepressible energy. "It's like a hat trick."— Philip Nobel You voted for him? Surely you jest. [=you must be joking]

Other Words from jest Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about jest

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Synonyms & Antonyms for jest

Synonyms: Noun

fun, game, play, sport

Synonyms: Verb

banter, chaff, fool, fun, gag, jape, jive, joke, jolly, josh, kid, quip, wisecrack, yuk (or yuck) [slang]

Antonyms: Noun

earnest

Choose the Right Synonym for jest

Noun

fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter. fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. played cards just for fun jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. hurt by remarks said only in jest sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. teasing begun in sport led to anger game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. made game of their poor relations play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples of jest in a Sentence

Noun

It was a harmless jest. you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Usually, it is mentioned in jest, or perhaps in a fit of post-game exasperation. — Mike Scott, NOLA.com, "The legend of the Superdome curse," 29 Oct. 2017 Simmons said principals were given discretion over the dress code, and any threats involving a bat were made in jest. — Jacob Carpenter, Houston Chronicle, "Judge: Suspended Furr High staffer can speak about Bertie Simmons case," 23 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for jest

Noun

Middle English gest, geste, jeste "chivalric romance, tale, heroic deed, exploit, action, amusement," borrowed from Anglo-French geste "heroic deed, romance, tale," borrowed from Latin gesta "deeds, exploits," plural of gestum "something carried out," noun derivative from neuter of gestus, past participle of gerere "to carry, bear, conduct one's business, act, perform, do," from a verb stem ges- of uncertain origin

Note: The current senses of jest date from the 16th century. The Latin verb stem ges- is without evident Indo-European congeners. An old suggestion that it derives from *h₂ǵ-es-, an extended form containing the zero grade of *h₂eǵ- "drive" (see agent) has been revived (as, for example, by Michiel de Vaan in Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the Other Italic Languages, Brill, 2008; the original suggestion was by Hermann Osthoff in Beiträge zur Kunde der indogermanischen Sprachen, Band 19 [1893], pp. 320-22.) Parallel formations adduced by Osthoff are, however, questionable, as *u̯es- (see wear entry 1) from *eu̯- "put on (footwear)," not possible if the root is actually *h₂eu̯(H)- (see exuviae). Latin ger- is unlikely to have any relation to Old Norse kǫr "heap, pile," kǫstr "pile," kasta "to throw, fling" (see cast entry 1).

Verb

Middle English gesten "to recite romances," derivative of geste "chivalric romance, tale" — more at jest entry 1

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More Definitions for jest

jest

noun

English Language Learners Definition of jest

(Entry 1 of 2)

formal + old-fashioned : something said or done to cause laughter

jest

verb

English Language Learners Definition of jest (Entry 2 of 2)

formal + old-fashioned : to say things that are meant to cause laughter

See the full definition for jest in the English Language Learners Dictionary

jest

Definition of jest

Other Words from jest

Synonyms & Antonyms for jest

Choose the Right Synonym for jest

Examples of jest in a Sentence

First Known Use of jest

History and Etymology for jest

English Language Learners Definition of jest

jest

Definition of jest

Other Words from jest

Synonyms & Antonyms for jest

Choose the Right Synonym for jest

Examples of jest in a Sentence

First Known Use of jest

History and Etymology for jest

English Language Learners Definition of jest

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