jester
Americannoun
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a person who is given to witticisms, jokes, and pranks.
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a professional fool or clown, especially at a medieval court.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of jester
First recorded in 1325–75, jester is from the Middle English word gester. See gest, -er 1
Explanation
A jester is a joker or clown who performs for an audience. Most jesters worked for English kings' courts during medieval and Tudor times. Back in Shakespeare's day, English royals employed many entertainers who performed plays, songs, and other acts for them. Among these professionals was the jester, whose job was keeping the nobles amused. Some jesters would travel in groups, putting on shows in various cities. Fools and jesters appear in many of Shakespeare's plays. The word was originally spelled gestour, which was defined as "a minstrel or teller of tales." The root is the Anglo-Latin gesten, "recite a tale."
Vocabulary lists containing jester
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Lyrics from "American Pie" by Don McLean
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
UOB economist Jester Koh expects the RBI to hold rates in June, with possible hawkish signaling in the vote split and potentially in the monetary policy stance, opening the door to future rate hikes.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
Continue on the trail about one-third of a mile toward Jester Mountain, and you’ll find yourself walking among magical larches.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2023
My husband and I attended a live version of "The King's Jester" in late 2021, when Minhaj was still refining it.
From Salon • Sep. 23, 2023
The choir has over the years featured celebrated vocalists and composers, including Mahalia Jackson, Jester Hairston, the Clara Ward Singers, Ethel Waters and Dorothy Maynor.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2022
Then was the Jester at his wit's end for a reply.
From The Jester's Sword How Aldebaran, the King's Son Wore the Sheathed Sword of Conquest by Johnston, Annie F. (Annie Fellows)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
