noun
jest
jehst
noun
1
A remark or action meant as a joke rather than seriously.
""Only in jest," he added, seeing her face fall."
"What began as a jest turned into a genuine plan."
verb
1
To joke or speak playfully rather than seriously.
"She was only jesting when she said she'd quit."
How to Use Jest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA joke, or the act of joking, especially something said playfully rather than meant literally.
Memory tip
The set phrase "in jest" means "as a joke, not seriously" — useful for softening or clarifying a comment.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
in jest
jest about something
only jesting
Word Forms
jested past tense, jests plural, jests singular
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"Only in _____," he added, seeing her face fall.
Etymology
From an Old French word for "deeds" or "exploits", which in English narrowed down over time from storytelling to joking around.