jape

¹jape

verb \ˈjāp\

japedjap·ing

Definition of JAPE

intransitive verb

: to say or do something jokingly or mockingly

transitive verb

: to make mocking fun of

— jap·er \ˈjā-pər\ noun

— jap·ery \ˈjā-p(ə-)rē\ noun

Examples of JAPE

1. <the characters in Oscar Wilde's plays jape with a readiness and sophistication that is rarely, if ever, encountered in real life>

Origin of JAPE

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to JAPE

Synonyms

banter, chaff, fool, fun, gag, joke, jest, jive, jolly, josh, kid, quip, wisecrack, yuk (or yuck) [slang]

Related Words

gibe (or jibe), haze, jeer, mock, rag, rally, razz, rib, ridicule, tease; caricature, lampoon, parody, satirize; amuse, divert, entertain

Rhymes with JAPE

ape, cape, chape, crape, crepe, drape, gape, grape, nape, rape, scape, scrape, shape, tape

²jape

noun

Definition of JAPE

: something designed to arouse amusement or laughter: as

a : an amusing literary or dramatic production <a jape that would be okay as a sophomore class play — John Simon>

b : gibe

Examples of JAPE

1. <by the standards of today's no-holds-barred satire, Will Rogers' homespun japes about politicians seem awfully gentle>

First Known Use of JAPE

14th century

Related to JAPE

Synonyms

boff (or boffo), boffola, crack, drollery, funny, gag, giggle [chiefly British], joke, jest, josh, laugh, nifty, one-liner, pleasantry, quip, rib, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism, yuk (or yuck also yak or yock) [slang]

Related Words

funning, joking, wisecracking; knee-slapper, panic [slang], riot, scream, thigh-slapper; antic, buffoonery, caper, leg-pull, monkeyshine(s), practical joke, prank, trick; burlesque, caricature, lampoon, mock, mockery, parody, put-on, riff; banter, kidding, persiflage, raillery, repartee; drollness, facetiousness, funniness, hilariousness, humorousness; comedy, humor, wit, wordplay