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to jape

to jape

1 8.7
To make a playful joke or trick someone to make them laugh
  • verb
  • /dʒeɪp/
  • Archaic
translation icon : bromear
  • He loves to jape with his friends, making silly jokes that always make them laugh.

Examples

  • "You'd have never had it so good, buddy," Red japed.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • One thing you'll learn about me is I do not kid, or jest, or joke, or jape... or quip.

  • During the party, she decided to jape about her recent vacation, telling funny stories about her adventures.

  • The comedian often japes about everyday situations, finding humor in the mundane aspects of life.

Synonyms

to kid
vsto jape
  • Informal
3.5

To tease someone in a friendly, playful way

may be similar but often includes a sharper mocking edge
to joke
vsto jape
476 1.0

To say or do something to make people laugh

can be mocking or aimed directly at a person rather than general fun
to make fun of
vsto jape
  • Offensive
307 2.3

Laugh at someone or say things that make them feel embarrassed

is usually more playful and may be less hurtful in intent
to joke about
vsto jape
80 2.9

Say something funny, often unkind, about someone or something

also covers practical teasing acts that go beyond spoken lines
to joke around
vsto jape
  • Informal
40 2.4

To say funny things and behave in a playful way to make people laugh

can be directed at someone with mocking or teasing intent
to poke fun
vsto jape
  • Offensive
25 3.9

To make jokes about someone to make them look silly

is similar but also covers lighter, purely playful teasing
to poke fun at
vsto jape
  • Offensive
23 3.4

To make jokes about someone, sometimes to be playful and sometimes to be unkind

may also involve direct playful deception rather than only public jokes
to play tricks
vsto jape
15 3.0

To make someone believe something that is not true as a joke

also applies to short mocking words, not only physical mischief
to jest
vsto jape
11 5.7

To say or do something as a joke to make people laugh

leans more toward teasing or mocking directed at someone
to crack a joke
vsto jape
  • Informal
10 2.9

Tell a joke to make people laugh

includes quick lines but often aims to tease or mock someone
to jab at
vsto jape
  • Informal
9 6.4

To make a short teasing or critical comment about someone

is more about playful actions and gentle mockery rather than sharp shots
to josh
vsto jape
  • Informal
7 6.5

Make fun of someone in a friendly, playful way

is closer to that but can also include small deceptive acts
to play a trick on
vsto jape
6 2.8

To fool someone as a joke

covers both playful deception and teasing words rather than only tricks
to play a joke on
vsto jape
  • Informal
5 3.2

To trick someone in a friendly way to make them laugh

is similar but also includes mocking remarks as well as practical acts
to razz
vsto jape
  • Informal
5 9.1

To tease someone in a playful or annoying way

is similar but may include single acts of deception as well
to play pranks
vsto jape
4 3.1

Do small tricks to surprise or make someone laugh

is broader, including teasing speech as well as these practical acts
to rib
vsto jape
  • Informal
2 3.8

To tease someone in a friendly, joking way

can be similar but sometimes aims to mock rather than just amuse
to make sport of
vsto jape
  • Offensive
2 7.5

To laugh at someone and say unkind things about them

leans more consistently toward light teasing or harmless tricks
to wisecrack
vsto jape
  • Informal
1 7.3

To make a short funny or sarcastic remark meant to be clever

is broader, including playful actions and milder teasing speech
to chaff
vsto jape
  • UK
1 7.5

To joke or tease someone in a friendly way

is like friendly banter but may include meaner teasing or tricks
to take the mickey
vsto jape
  • Slang
1 9.1

To tease someone by making jokes about them in a friendly way

includes similar teasing but can be more openly mocking or cruel
to gag
vsto jape
  • Informal
1 4.5

To joke in a light, playful way

is similar but may target someone with teasing or mockery
to cod
vsto jape
  • UK
8.8

To trick someone as a joke

adds a mocking or teasing tone beyond pure hoaxing
to guy
vsto jape
  • Informal
7.0

To make fun of someone in a playful way

is broader and can include playful deception as well as teasing
to make game of
vsto jape
  • Offensive
8.0

Laugh at someone or treat something serious as a joke

focuses more on joking actions aimed directly at people

How Playful

to prank
  • Informal
16 2.9
to jape
  • Archaic
1 8.7
to joke
476 1.0
to tease
245 1.9

Surface Forms

jape infinitive
japed past
japed past participle
japing present participle
japes third person singular

Etymology

Jape likely comes from an old French word japer meaning 'to chatter' or 'to mock'. So to jape is to make a playful joke or trick at someone, which is why it means to joke or tease in a light way.