Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

jest

/d͡ʒɛst/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.06 in modern English

Syllables
jest
IPA
/d͡ʒɛst/
11
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An act performed for amusement; a joke.

Archaic

noun

Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.

Archaic

noun

A deed; an action; a gest.

Obsolete

noun

A mask; a pageant; an interlude.

Obsolete

verb

To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.

adv

Pronunciation spelling of just.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English geste (“idle tale”), from Old French geste (“acts, exploits”), from Latin gesta (“acts, deeds”). Doublet of gest.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

jests (plural) jests (present, singular) jesting (participle, present) jested (participle, past) jested (past)

Derived Forms

jestee jesty outjest jester jestingly

Phrases

in jest

Frequently Paired Words

jester joker

Synonyms

prank gag laughingstock banter crack wisecrack witticism kid mock tease joke jest

Homonyms

gest

Rhymes With

best west rest test request suggest guest arrest chest expressed dressed breast

Questions

How do you pronounce jest?
The recorded pronunciation is /d͡ʒɛst/.
What does jest mean?
An act performed for amusement; a joke.
Where does jest come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce jest

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “jest”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/d͡ʒɛst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “jest”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “jest” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.