jest

American  

[jest] / dʒɛst /

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.

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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 bywith ).

   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 British  

/ 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

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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

Usage

What does jest mean? A jest is a joke, a witty remark, or some kind of action intended to be funny. When used as a noun, jest can also mean a taunt or jeer, as in Don’t allow his jests to upset you.  Jest can also be used as a verb meaning to joke around or do something intended to be funny, as in I know you like to jest, but try to be serious this one time. The word is most commonly used in the phrase in jest, meaning as a joke, as in I said that in jest—please don’t take it seriously. Claiming to have said something in jest is often seen as an excuse intended to avoid responsibility for having offended someone with one’s comments. In fact, there is even an expression that relates to this: “Many a true word is spoken in jest.” This means that when people say they are “only joking” about something, they are probably saying what they really mean. Example: My comments were offered in jest, but I can understand how they could have offended some people.

Related Words

See joke.

Other Word Forms

• jestful adjective
• jesting adjective
• jestingly adverb
• outjest verb (used with object)
• unjesting adjective
• unjestingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of jest

1250–1300; Middle English; variant spelling of gest

Explanation

A jest is a joke. Are you a playful prankster? A jocular jokester? A witty wisecracker? Then you are definitely well versed in the art of the jest. To jest means to banter and joke in a playful way — like a "court jester," whose job it was in medieval times to entertain the royal court with funny stories. Today when we jest we generally joke around or gently tease. The noun's meaning evolved over time, from "idle tale" to "mocking speech," and finally to "joke."

Example Sentences

“I highly recommend not going to the bathroom during the performance,” co-founder Calla Henkel warned the crowd, half in jest.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2025

They blur the line between personal and professional attire with a confidence that seems to jest at our conformity: Didn’t you sheeple know the rules are made up?

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

One padded woman looks out, grinning, enjoying the jest.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

The show has long been the subject of jest among both the Hollywood elite and at-home viewers.

From Salon • Jan. 6, 2025

“Hit were jest a dream. You all tangled up in yore mind. Go to sleep now.”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns