jester

noun

jest·​er ˈje-stər 

1

: fool sense 2a

2

: one given to jests

Synonyms

• card
• comedian
• comic
• droll
• farceur
• funnyman
• gagger
• gagman
• gagster
• humorist
• joker
• jokester
• wag
• wit

Examples of jester in a Sentence

a gentle jester, the cartoonist more often tries to evoke a broad smile than a hearty guffaw

the king called for some much-needed entertainment from his jester

Recent Examples on the Web

And then there’s 10 percent that are a mixture of people who see you as a jester or cartoon character who should get up and dance for them, and people who, in their head, have a full-on relationship with you and need to protect the fragile little boy from everybody else. —Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024

Her face was still painted, but her jester’s cap was replaced by two massive, blonde pigtails. —Abraham Josephine Riesman, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024

Her classic court jester suit has attracted lots of searches from costume planners this year. —The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024

Either way, Folie à Deux signals the dawn of a new era for the real Joker who killed Arthur, while our anti-hero ended up as but a mere societal outcast, a jester for humiliation the whole time. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gestour "reciter of romances, minstrel, entertainer," from gesten "to recite romances" + -our -er entry 2 — more at jest entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

jester

noun

jest·​er ˈjes-tər 

1

: fool entry 1 sense 2

court jester

2

: a person given to jests