jest

noun \ ˈjest \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: jest in a Sentence

Definition of jest

1 : a joking or mocking remark

a clever jest

2 a : prank

b : 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

3 a : a frivolous mood or manner —usually used with in

spoken in jest

b : gaiety and merriment

I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of excellent fancy
—William Shakespeare

4 : laughingstock

—

jest

verb

See jest defined for English-language learners

See jest defined for kids

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

Usually, it is mentioned in jest, or perhaps in a fit of post-game exasperation.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "The legend of the Superdome curse," 29 Oct. 2017
Simmons said principals were given discretion over the dress code, and any threats involving a bat were made in jest.

— jacob carpenter, Houston Chronicle, "Judge: Suspended Furr High staffer can speak about Bertie Simmons case," 23 Oct. 2017
Though the remark was in jest, it reflects the unsettling reality that a number of Ryan's closest allies in the Republican caucus are abandoning ship.

— vanityfair.com, "Paul Ryan's Friends in Congress Are Abandoning Ship," 20 Oct. 2017
Though the remark was in jest, it reflects the unsettling reality that a number of Ryan's closest allies in the Republican caucus are abandoning ship.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "Paul Ryan's Friends in Congress Are Abandoning Ship," 20 Oct. 2017
Alas, poor Virgin America, an airline of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.

— ryan craggs, CNT, "Virgin America Will No Longer Exist in 6 Months," 10 Oct. 2017
Frost said in jest to much laughter during his postgame press conference.

— chris hays, OrlandoSentinel.com, "‘Tank’ formation fun for UCF’s Jamiyus Pittman, Trysten Hill," 1 Sep. 2017
There was a good bit of growling involved, but all was in jest, said Crosby’s owner, Mansi Shah, 22.

— mary hui, Washington Post, "Pups and public space: What D.C.’s dog parks say about the changing city," 27 Aug. 2017
Sturgeon said, somewhat in jest but making his point.

— maureen robertson, Ramona Sentinel, "Behind the Front Page: A Man's Gift to a Boy, Coaches Wanted, and more," 14 Aug. 2017

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 gest, geste, jeste "chivalric romance, tale, heroic deed, exploit, action, amusement," borrowed from Anglo-French geste "heroic deed, romance, tale," borrowed from Latin gesta "deeds, exploits," plural of gestum "something carried out," noun derivative from neuter of gestus, past participle of gerere "to carry, bear, conduct one's business, act, perform, do," from a verb stem ges- of uncertain origin

Note: The current senses of jest date from the 16th century. The Latin verb stem ges- is without evident Indo-European congeners. An old suggestion that it derives from *h₂ǵ-es-, an extended form containing the zero grade of *h₂eǵ- "drive" (see agent) has been revived (as, for example, by Michiel de Vaan in Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the Other Italic Languages, Brill, 2008; the original suggestion was by Hermann Osthoff in Beiträge zur Kunde der indogermanischen Sprachen, Band 19 [1893], pp. 320-22.) Parallel formations adduced by Osthoff are, however, questionable, as *u̯es- (see ¹wear) from *eu̯- "put on (footwear)," not possible if the root is actually *h₂eu̯(H)- (see exuviae). Latin ger- is unlikely to have any relation to Old Norse kǫr "heap, pile," kǫstr "pile," kasta "to throw, fling" (see ¹cast).

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1548

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

jest Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of jest

fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter. fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

- played cards just for fun

jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

- hurt by remarks said only in jest

sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

- teasing begun in sport led to anger

game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

- made game of their poor relations

play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

- pretended to strangle his brother in play

jest

verb

Definition of jest

jested; jesting

intransitive verb

formal, dated

: to make jokes or jests : to say things intended to be humorous

"What's it like to design a building and have an apartment in it and have your name on it?" the architect asks, jesting, with his typically irrepressible energy. "It's like a hat trick."
—Philip Nobel