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

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

Fans wouldn’t learn Harley’s origin story until December 1993, when the special standalone B:TAS comic book Mad Love hit shelves, revealing Harley as Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist who abandoned her old self to become Joker’s adoring — and heavily abused — jester. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 3 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