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to jest

to jest

13 5.7
To say or do something as a joke to make people laugh
  • verb
  • /dʒɛst/
: bromear
  • Rosemary looked stunned, but then said in a tone of jesting reproof, "Gib, you never take anything seriously except your lousy movies."

So I still have it and I and it's Pam's Egg Breakfast and I've I've jested up a bit here and there, but.

Examples

Synonyms

to kid
vsto jest
  • Informal
∞ 3.5

To tease someone in a friendly, playful way

is the wider act of playful speech or action beyond teasing
to joke
vsto jest
530 1.0

To say or do something to make people laugh

is broader playful speech or action not only for laughter
to joke about
vsto jest
140 2.9

Say something funny, often unkind, about someone or something

is playful more generally and not necessarily aimed at others
to play tricks
vsto jest
58 3.0

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

is a playful act but not focused on deception or mischief
to joke around
vsto jest
  • Informal
49 2.4

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

also covers single playful actions, not only ongoing talk
to gag
vsto jest
  • Informal
13 4.5

To joke in a light, playful way

is general playful speech or action rather than only quips
to play a joke on
vsto jest
  • Informal
9 3.2

To trick someone in a friendly way to make them laugh

is playful speech or action without the aim of deception
to banter
vsto jest
  • Informal
9 4.6

To tease someone in a friendly, playful way

is usually a single person doing a playful act or remark
to josh
vsto jest
  • Informal
5 6.5

Make fun of someone in a friendly, playful way

is broader, including playful acts that are not warm teasing
to fun
vsto jest
  • Informal
4 7.5

To tease someone in a playful way

is broader playful action that may not be merely enjoyable teasing
to crack a joke
vsto jest
  • Informal
4 2.9

Tell a joke to make people laugh

is a broader playful act, not limited to quick remarks
to jape
vsto jest
  • Archaic
1 8.7

To make a playful joke or trick someone to make them laugh

is general playful action without the mocking or tricking focus

Idioms

in jest
  • Informal
10 6.6

In a joking way not meant to be taken seriously

1 6.7

Said or done as a joke and not meant to be serious

How Playful

to joke
530 1.0
to jest
13 5.7
to tease
228 1.9

Surface Forms

jest infinitive
jested past
jested past participle
jesting present participle
jests third person singular

Etymology

Jest as a verb comes from the same old French idea geste meaning 'action' or 'show' and is linked to jester, the joker who performed to make people laugh. That's why to jest is to say or do something in a joking, playful way.