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

Clark continued to captivate me with his wry observations about the world, his inclination to be a jokester and even the goofy gifts intended to show he was a romantic at heart.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

A year after “Cosby” became a runaway success, ABC responded with “Growing Pains,” which cast Kirk Cameron as the zany jokester enlivening that show’s Seaver household.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2025

Cinder's girlfriend—a gray-haired, lipsticked, cigarette-smoking mail woman named Miss Fran—would always come by his store to deliver letters and bills, always catching him in the middle of his jokester routines.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• jester
• prankster
• trickster