Dictionary.com

jest

[ jest ]
/ dʒɛst /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: jest / jesting on Thesaurus.com
noun
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to deride or joke at; banter.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of jest

1250–1300; Middle English; variant spelling of gest

synonym study for jest

1. See joke.

OTHER WORDS FROM jest

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH jest

gist, jest , just
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to jest

banter, crack, fun, funny, gag, game, hoax, jive, laugh, one-liner, play, pleasantry, prank, quip, ridicule, sally, spoof, sport, wisecrack, witticism

How to use jest in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jest

jest
/ (dʒɛst) /
noun
something done or said for amusement; joke
a frivolous mood or attitude; playfulness; funto act in jest
a jeer or taunt
an object of derision; laughing stock; butt
verb
to act or speak in an amusing, teasing, or frivolous way; joke
to make fun of (a person or thing); scoff or mock

Derived forms of jest

jestful, adjectivejesting, adjective, nounjestingly, adverb

Word Origin for jest

C13: variant of gest
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK