jest

[jest]

noun

1. a joke or witty remark; witticism.

   Synonyms: quip

2. a bantering remark; a piece of good-natured ridicule; taunt.

   Synonyms: gibe, jape

3. sport or fun.

   to speak half in jest, half in earnest.

4. the object of laughter, sport, or mockery; laughing-stock.

   Synonyms: butt

5. Obsolete.,  an exploit.

verb (used without object)

1. to speak in a playful, humorous, or facetious way; joke.

2. to speak or act in mere sport, rather than in earnest; trifle (often followed bywith ).

   Please don't jest with me.

3. to utter derisive speeches; gibe or scoff.

verb (used with object)

1. to deride or joke at; banter.

jest

/ dʒɛst /

noun

1. something done or said for amusement; joke

2. a frivolous mood or attitude; playfulness; fun

   to act in jest

3. a jeer or taunt

4. an object of derision; laughing stock; butt

verb

1. to act or speak in an amusing, teasing, or frivolous way; joke

2. to make fun of (a person or thing); scoff or mock

Other Word Forms

• jestingly adverb
• jesting adjective
• jestful adjective
• outjest verb (used with object)
• unjesting adjective
• unjestingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jest¹

1250–1300; Middle English; variant spelling of gest

Word History and Origins

Origin of jest¹

C13: variant of _gest

Synonym Study

See joke.

Example Sentences

The commission said Monguia’s shooting remarks “fostered an atmosphere of intimidation in the courtroom and, even if made in jest, were undignified and discourteous.”

From Los Angeles Times

It did, however, tell the BBC that the underwear appeared to have been "moved in jest, without any thought given for the upset this could cause to the owner".

From BBC

Mateer released a statement Tuesday indicating that he had written those words in jest.

From Los Angeles Times

Vance’s remarks, while taken in jest, fell flat in a room filled with experts more keenly aware than most of the challenges facing travel in the Trump era.

From Los Angeles Times

That commenter posted that in jest, but the underlying sentiment is accurate.

From Salon

When To Use

What does jest mean?

A jest is a joke, a witty remark, or some kind of action intended to be funny.When used as a noun, jest can also mean a taunt or jeer, as in Don’t allow his jests to upset you.  Jest can also be used as a verb meaning to joke around or do something intended to be funny, as in I know you like to jest, but try to be serious this one time. The word is most commonly used in the phrase in jest, meaning as a joke, as in I said that in jest—please don’t take it seriously. Claiming to have said something in jest is often seen as an excuse intended to avoid responsibility for having offended someone with one’s comments. In fact, there is even an expression that relates to this: “Many a true word is spoken in jest.” This means that when people say they are “only joking” about something, they are probably saying what they really mean.Example: My comments were offered in jest, but I can understand how they could have offended some people.