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Definition of jest
1 : a joking or mocking remark a clever jest
2a : prankb : a ludicrous circumstance or incident a proper jest, and never heard before, that Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth for costs and charges — William Shakespeare
3a : a frivolous mood or manner —usually used with in spoken in jestb : gaiety and merriment I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of excellent fancy — William Shakespeare
4 : laughingstock
jest
verbExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of jest in a Sentence
It was a harmless jest.
you should know that our teasing was done entirely in jest
Recent Examples of jest from the Web
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Bands like Bon Jovi and Cheap Trick funneled their overseas popularity into international success, while others have had those words muttered about them in jest.
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To McDaniel's point, Depp is not the first celebrity to allude to --- whether in jest or in earnest -- the killing of President Trump.
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A spokesman for Banks said the exchange was in jest and a lighthearted moment during a conversation about the president’s affection for the Hoosier state.
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The Secret Service will likely attempt to interview both Griffin and Shields, with the agency never assuming at first that incendiary photos or writings are just in jest or merely intended as artistic expression, TMZ said.
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What the country really needs now is a king, some Brazilians say in jest.
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But the two will have some competition: this climactic move has been re-enacted numerous times since the film was released, usually in jest.
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In the 72 hours since that Trump tweet, the White House has provided absolutely zero guidance as to whether it was meant in jest or is, in fact, a reflection of what Trump is actually doing.
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Another staffer said Trump took Obama’s remarks to be made in jest.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of jest
Middle English geste idle tale, story in verse, from Anglo-French, deed, action, narrative, from Latin gesta deeds, from neuter plural of gestus, past participle of gerere to bear, wage
Synonym Discussion of jest
JEST Defined for English Language Learners
jest
playDefinition of jest for English Language Learners
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: something said or done to cause laughter
JEST Defined for Kids
Learn More about jest
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See words that rhyme with jest Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for jest Spanish Central: Translation of jest Nglish: Translation of jest for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of jest for Arabic speakers
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