jokester

American  

[johk-ster] / ˈdʒoʊk stər /

noun

1. a joker, especially a practical joker.

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Etymology

Origin of jokester

First recorded in 1875–80; joke + -ster

Explanation

A jokester is someone who loves telling jokes, joking around, or playing practical jokes on people. You might tire of your jokester uncle pretending to "get your nose" every time you see him. The teacher who's fond of knock-knock jokes is a jokester, and the student who puts a whoopie cushion on that teacher's chair is also a jokester. A career as a stand-up comedian might be in one of these jokesters' future. Jokester dates from about 1819, combining joke, from its Latin root iocus, "joke, sport, or pastime," and the suffix -ster, used to mean "a person who..."

Example Sentences

The jokester revealed that he initially came across the pad when he was living in the hustle and bustle of New York City and wanted a peaceful getaway.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Cerf was fun and charismatic, a jokester and bon vivant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

I couldn’t help but laugh as August — the jokester of the herd — almost managed to knock over the instrument, filling the calm air with a jarring crash.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

At one of the basketball courts where Shawn used to play, his coaches tell us this was his happy place and he was the "jokester" on the team, and well-liked.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2024

Now, in death, this constancy crystallized and became something else entirely: he was an old familiar jokester cast—with surprising effect—in the tragic role.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• jester
• prankster
• trickster