jape
Americanverb (used without object)
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japes,
present (3rd person singular)
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japed,
past participle, past
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japing
present participle
verb (used with object)
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japes,
present (3rd person singular)
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japed,
past participle, past
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japing
present participle
noun
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a joke; jest; quip.
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a trick or practical joke.
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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japesimple
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japessimple
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have japedperfect
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has japedperfect
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am japingprogressive
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are japingprogressive
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is japingprogressive
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have been japingperfect progressive
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has been japingperfect progressive
Past
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japedsimple
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had japedperfect
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was japingprogressive
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were japingprogressive
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had been japingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of jape
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English japen, perhaps from Old French jap(p)er “to bark,” of imitative origin
Explanation
A jape is a joke. The highlight of your family get-togethers might be your funny uncle's japes. You can tell a jape, or play a jape — or a practical joke — on someone. An older sister might tell her little brother, "I'm not interested in your silly childish japes" when he shows her his whoopie cushion, for example. You could also say that you love your annual holiday party at work, because instead of the usual stress, it's all laughing and japes. The word jape most likely comes from the Old French verb japer, "to howl, bawl, or scream."
Vocabulary lists containing jape
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.
See Examples For:
McDonald and Jim Youngren came up with the billboard as a jape on the prevailing national image of Seattle in the wake of the Boeing bust.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 9, 2021
All a viewer needs for access to his Picasso jape is the ability to read simple English.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 7, 2020
Yes, there is a jape about polyphasic sleep.
From The Verge ● Feb. 26, 2020
Things take on a decidedly goofier turn when Robert Pattinson shows up as the taunting French Dauphin, his Pepé le Pew accent and blond wig only making his performance more of a jape.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 23, 2019
“My lord jests. You will forgive me if I do not laugh. We Braavosi are descended from those who fled Valyria and the wroth of its dragonlords. We do not jape of dragons.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Another film, “Gasman,” was full of jolly japes about everyday corruption.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
The pair, whose friendship appears genuine and was demonstrated by their japes throughout the match, shared an affable embrace at the net.
From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2025
You can’t shame the shameless, or awaken the conscience of a narcissist, but the idea that such japes might make the target’s stomach hurt or his blood boil, may provide some small satisfaction.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2025
Back then, Leno said, late-night japes were “a gentle prod.”
From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2025
She’s another of his japes, like Kyra with the keys.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
In 2011, the host Ricky Gervais japed that H.F.P.A. members didn’t nominate “The Tourist” just to hang out with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, “They also accepted bribes.”
From New York Times ● Jan. 11, 2023
When news of Domino’s leaving Italy hit social media, wags japed that trying to sell the Americanized product in the birthplace of pizza was a bold move.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 10, 2022
“I appreciate you dumping you oppo research,” Cruz japed, laughing about what most voters would consider research about the opposition.
From Time ● Jan. 15, 2016
As Huddersfield-born Smithies jumped and japed and waved to his many friends in the Wembley crowd, his back-up, Nick Colgan, showed the value of experience.
From The Guardian ● May 27, 2012
“Lord Winter has joined us with his levies,” one of the sentries outside the Great Hall japed... until he saw Theon’s face and realized who he was talking to.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
But its ineffectual japing, and Michaels’ inability to help himself when it comes to normalizing repugnant behavior in the name of chasing the zeitgeist, makes it a popular stop on the image rehab express.
From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026
Longtime friend and former HBO sketch comedy co-star David Cross tweeted earlier that he had spoken earlier by telephone with Odenkirk, whom he described as “doing great” and “joking, japing and joshing.”
From Reuters ● Jul. 30, 2021
“Joking and japing and joshing. Both he and his family are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and concern everyone has shown. You will be hearing from him soon. But he’s doing really well!!!”
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 30, 2021
“Just got off the phone with Bob and he’s doing great! Joking and japing and joshing,” Cross wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2021
My troupe was not some poor batch of mummers, japing at crossroads for pennies, singing for our suppers.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
