jester

[jes-ter]

noun

1. a person who is given to witticisms, jokes, and pranks.

2. a professional fool or clown, especially at a medieval court.

jester

/ ˈdʒɛstə /

noun

1. a professional clown employed by a king or nobleman, esp at courts during the Middle Ages

Word History and Origins

Origin of jester¹

First recorded in 1325–75, jester is from the Middle English word gester. See gest, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Newsom is like the court jester pointing out how stupidly the king is acting.

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Though mean-spirited, the jester Rigoletto — Verdi’s hapless, vengeful hunchback — wins our hearts as the outsider whom a heartless world so often abuses.

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Actor Ben Starr, accepting the award on the developer's behalf, approached the stage in make-up and a jester's hat - an outfit inspired by the game's character Jimbo.

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Away from the from springtime pastels and prints, Alessandro Michele's debut couture collection was full of clashing colours and harlequin print fit for a court jester.

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He then dismisses mainstream media outlets as “court jesters.”

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Related Words

• clown 
• jokester