Word
jest
US/ˈdʒɛst/
UK/dʒˈɛst/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. something said or done for fun or to make people laugh. It is an older word for a joke or a playful comment.
n. a joke or a witty remark intended to provoke laughter or amusement. Often used in the phrase 'in jest' to indicate that a statement should not be taken seriously.
Examples
“He made a quick jest about the rainy weather.”
“Although his comment sounded harsh, he clearly spoke in jest to lighten the mood of the meeting.”
“The court jester was the only individual permitted to speak the truth to the king, provided his critiques were wrapped in clever jest and wordplay.”
Examples
simple
“He made a quick jest about the rainy weather.”
contextual
“Although his comment sounded harsh, he clearly spoke in jest to lighten the mood of the meeting.”
complex
“The court jester was the only individual permitted to speak the truth to the king, provided his critiques were wrapped in clever jest and wordplay.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the prepositional phrase 'in jest'.
Real-World Examples
“The chants from the away end about winning the league were sung in jest, but Hull continue to show they are here to stay.” “During Tuesday’s press briefing, Spicer conceded that your Maytag is “not a sound way of surveilling someone” and insisted that she was speaking “in jest.” Etymology
From Middle English geste (“idle tale”), from Old French geste (“acts, exploits”), from Latin gesta (“acts, deeds”). Doublet of gest.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
In Literature
Infinite Jest · 1996-02-01 · Hysterical realism, postmodern literature
- Author:
- David Foster Wallace
David Foster Wallace’s 1996 postmodern masterpiece centers on a lethal film so entertaining that viewers lose all interest in anything else. The title refers to a 'jest' or joke that is so powerful it becomes dangerous, exploring themes of addiction and entertainment in a near-future North America. Through this premise, the novel examines how the pursuit of pleasure and laughter can ultimately consume a person's life.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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