jape
12 synonyms for jape, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A prank or piece of playful mischief, especially one described in a light-hearted or old-fashioned way.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A prank or piece of playful mischief, especially one described in a light-hearted or old-fashioned way.
“The boys were caned for what the headmaster called a schoolboy jape.”
2. noun
A joke or witty remark.
“He opened his speech with a jape at his own expense.”
How to use jape
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Archaic or humorously literary. British.
Etymology
Middle English jape, of uncertain origin; possibly from Old French japer, to yelp or chatter.
Full origin of jape →