Dictionary

jest

noun \ˈjest\

: something said or done to cause laughter

Full Definition of JEST

1
:  an utterance (as a jeer or quip) intended to be taken as mockery or humor
2
a :  prank
b :  a ludicrous circumstance or incident
3
a :  a frivolous mood or manner <spoken in jest>
b :  gaiety and merriment
4
jest verb
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Origin 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
First Known Use: circa 1548

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 Defined for Kids

1jest

noun \ˈjest\

Definition of JEST for Kids

1
:  a comic act or remark :  joke
2
:  a playful mood or manner <He spoke of his adventure in jest.>

2jest

verb
jest·edjest·ing

Definition of JEST for Kids

:  to make comic remarks :  joke

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