jest
Said for laughs
A jest is a joke or playful remark: I said it in jest.
The word sounds slightly formal or old-fashioned compared to joke.
To jest is to speak humorously or tease: Surely you jest.
A jester was a court entertainer who told jokes and performed comic routines for royalty.
Lighthearted playful movement
- larkSongbird or escapade
- caperPrank or pickled bud
- anticLudicrous or playful act
- prankPlayful trick on someone
romp · mischief · tomfoolery · horseplay · shenanigan · escapade · skylark · high jinks
Brief, clever remark
- wisecrackFlippant clever remark
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
- punchlineHumor's final delivery
jape · pun · wordplay · witticism · bon mot · zinger · crack · retort
Unwise, gullible person
- clownComedic performer in makeup
- comedianProfessional humor performer
- comicFunny performer or publication
- witClever, inventive humor
wag · humorist · joker · prankster · buffoon · harlequin · motley · cap and bells
Contemptuous mocking treatment
Lack of seriousness
- gaietyLively, exuberant cheerfulness
- mirthAmusement with laughter
- jollityCheerful liveliness
- jovialityHearty, convivial cheerfulness
cheerfulness · lightheartedness · whimsy · glee · fun · amusement · hilarity · merrymaking
frolic
Lighthearted playful movement
prank · romp · mischief · tomfoolery · horseplay · shenanigan · escapade · skylark · high jinks · monkey business
quip
Brief, clever remark
punchline · jape · pun · wordplay · witticism · bon mot · zinger · crack · retort · riposte
fool
Unwise, gullible person
- clownComedic performer in makeup
- comedianProfessional humor performer
- comicFunny performer or publication
wit · wag · humorist · joker · prankster · buffoon · harlequin · motley · cap and bells · court fool
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
scoff · sneer · gibe · barb · dig · jab · razz · rib · chaff · needle
levity
Lack of seriousness
joviality · cheerfulness · lightheartedness · whimsy · glee · fun · amusement · hilarity · merrymaking · revelry
jestearnest
Sincerely intense in purpose
seriousness · gravity · earnestness · solemnity · sobriety
- in jestIn a joking manner
- said in jest
- court jesterRoyal household entertainer
- jester hatCourt entertainer's headpiece
- Infinite JestLimitless source of amusement