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japery

japery

1 9.9
Playful, foolish behavior that tries to make people laugh
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒeɪpəri/
  • Archaic
translation icon : bromas

Examples

  • Human interest japery, maybe not so much.

    Blog text (16)
  • A great bit of japery, Sims.

  • The children's playful japery kept everyone entertained during the long wait.

  • His frequent japery made him the life of the party and brought smiles to the crowd.

  • The comedian's japery included funny impressions and silly antics that delighted the audience.

Synonyms

jest
vsjapery
23 4.2

A playful remark meant to make people laugh

refers to ongoing joking behavior rather than an isolated joke
frivolity
vsjapery
9 6.7

Light, silly behavior that is not serious

is specifically clownish joking rather than general lack of seriousness
clowning
vsjapery
8 3.2

Acting in a silly way to make people laugh

focuses on joking or clownish acts aimed at entertaining others
buffoonery
vsjapery
5 7.9

Clown-like, silly actions meant to make people laugh

is playful joking behavior broader than pure clown-like acts
jocularity
vsjapery
1 8.0

A playful, joking way of behaving that makes people laugh

is active joking behavior rather than just a general humorous trait
jackassery
vsjapery
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Behavior that is foolish, annoying, and often meant to make people laugh

is playful amusing behavior without the disruptive or annoying element
harlequinade
vsjapery
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A silly performance like a clown act that makes people laugh

is everyday playful acting rather than a formal stage performance
cheekiness
vsjapery
  • Informal
1 5.8

A bold, slightly rude way of speaking or acting that is playful and shows little respect

is amusing joking without the rude or disrespectful attitude
clownery
vsjapery
  • Informal
6.1

Silly behavior meant to make people laugh

is playful joking that can be broader than audience-focused silliness
hoopy antic
vsjapery
  • Informal
9.9

Silly actions that try to make people laugh

is general joking behavior, not only attention-seeking antics
jocoseness
vsjapery
  • Formal
9.8

A playful, joking way of behaving that makes people smile

is outward joking action rather than an inner playful mood
jocosity
vsjapery
  • Formal
9.9

To joke and be playful in a friendly way that makes people smile

is actual clownish behavior aimed to entertain rather than mere tone

Antonyms

65 6.1

A serious, calm way of behaving that shows something is important

53 2.7

A calm and honest way of speaking or acting that shows you mean what you say

How Playful

clowning
8 3.2
japery
  • Archaic
1 9.9
tomfoolery
  • Informal
7 8.2
playfulness
8 2.5

Surface Forms

japery singular
japeries plural

Morphology

japery = jape (transparent) = jape + ery

Derived regularly from 'jape' with the productive suffix '-ery' meaning behaviour or practice.

Etymology

Japery comes from the old verb jape, which means 'to joke' or 'make fun', like the simple word 'joke', so japery is playful, foolish behavior meant to make people laugh.