noun
jape
JAYP
Jape (noun) means a prank or piece of playful mischief, especially one described in a light-hearted or old-fashioned way. Example: “The boys were caned for what the headmaster called a schoolboy jape.”
noun
1
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."
"Swapping the club's flag for a pirate one was dismissed as a harmless jape."
2
A joke or witty remark.
"He opened his speech with a jape at his own expense."
verb
1
To joke or play tricks.
"They japed and larked about until the bell went."
How to use jape
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for a prank.
When to use it
Archaic or humorously literary. British.
Memory tip
Safe to recognise but risky to use; in most sentences "prank" is the natural choice.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
a schoolboy jape
a harmless jape
a student jape
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The boys were caned for what the headmaster called a schoolboy _____.
Etymology
Middle English jape, of uncertain origin; possibly from Old French japer, to yelp or chatter.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for jape
See all rhymes for jape →Frequently asked questions
Is jape still used today?
Rarely, and almost always deliberately. British writers reach for it when they want a slightly arch, public-school or Victorian tone, and it turns up in headlines about student stunts.
What is the difference between a jape and a prank?
They mean the same thing, but the register is very different. "Prank" is the ordinary modern word; "jape" is archaic and jokey, and using it signals that the writer is not taking the incident seriously.
What is the meaning of jape?
"jape" (noun) means a prank or piece of playful mischief, especially one described in a light-hearted or old-fashioned way.
What is another word for jape?
Other words for "jape" include prank, caper, lark, escapade, practical joke, jest.
