English Explanatory Dictionary

jest

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An act performed for amusement; a joke.
  2. Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.
  3. A deed; an action; a gest.
  4. A mask; a pageant; an interlude.
verb
  1. To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.
adv
  1. Pronunciation spelling of just.

Pronunciation

jĕst /d͡ʒɛst/ en-us-jest.ogg jēst /d͡ʒiːst/ /d͡ʒɛːst/

Word forms

jest jests jesting jested

Etymology

From Middle English geste (“idle tale”), from Old French geste (“acts, exploits”), from Latin gesta (“acts, deeds”). Doublet of gest.

Synonyms

prank gag laughingstock banter crack wisecrack witticism kid mock tease joke jest

Related words

jester joker

Derived words

in jest jestee jesty outjest jester jestingly
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