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GRE vocabulary

jest

nounHigh-frequency wordMore J words

a thing said or done for amusement; a joke

Word origin: From Old French geste, exploit or tale, from Latin gesta, deeds.

In a sentence

Jest in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing jest in a sentence.

He said it in jest, but his words still stung.

What he offered as a harmless jest was received by the committee as a calculated insult.

Synonyms
jokequipwitticismbanter
Antonyms
seriousnesssolemnity
Usage & nuance

Using “jest” well

Jest names something said or done for amusement, a joke, and it contrasts with seriousness and solemnity.

Keep going

More GRE words starting with J

jackanapes

an impudent, conceited person given to presumptuous behavior

jaded

worn out or made cynical by overexposure to something

jargon

specialized or technical language used by a particular group that outsiders find hard to grasp

jaundiced

affected by bitterness, resentment, or prejudice that distorts one's judgment

jeer

to make rude and mocking remarks at someone

jejune

lacking substance or maturity; naive and simplistic

jeopardize

to put at risk of loss, harm, or failure

jeopardy

danger of loss, harm, or failure

Common questions

Questions about “jest”

Jest (noun) means a thing said or done for amusement; a joke
Here is jest used in an example sentence: "He said it in jest, but his words still stung." Another example: "What he offered as a harmless jest was received by the committee as a calculated insult."
Common synonyms for jest include joke, quip, witticism, banter.
Antonyms of jest include seriousness, solemnity.
Jest clusters with joke, quip, witticism, and banter. Its antonyms seriousness and solemnity mark the contrast.
Yes. Jest is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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