Joke vs. Jest — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Joke and Jest
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Compare with Definitions
Joke
A joke is a display of humour in which words are used within a specific and well-defined narrative structure to make people laugh and is usually not meant to be taken seriously. It takes the form of a story, usually with dialogue, and ends in a punch line.
Jest
A thing said or done for amusement; a joke
He laughed uproariously at his own jest
It was said in jest
Joke
Something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement, especially an amusing story with a punch line.
Jest
Speak in a joking way
You jest, surely?
Joke
A mischievous trick; a prank
Played a joke on his roommate.
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Jest
A playful or frivolous mood or manner
Spoken in jest.
Joke
Something that is of ludicrously poor quality
Their delivery service is a joke.
Jest
A playful remark; a witticism or joke.
Joke
Something not to be taken seriously; a triviality
The accident was no joke.
Jest
A playful or amusing act; a prank.
Joke
An object of amusement or laughter; a laughingstock
His loud tie was the joke of the office.
Jest
An object of ridicule; a laughingstock
"There are people ... so cruel as to make a jest of me" (Charles Dickens).
Joke
To tell or play jokes; jest.
Jest
To make witty or amusing remarks.
Joke
To speak in fun; be facetious
You have to be joking.
Jest
To act in a playful or facetious manner.
Joke
To say or write as a joke.
Jest
(archaic) An act performed for amusement; a joke.
I made that comment in jest; it wasn't serious.
Joke
An amusing story.
Jest
(archaic) Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.
Your majesty, stop him before he makes you the jest of the court.
Joke
Something said or done for amusement, not in seriousness.
It was a joke!
Jest
(obsolete) A deed; an action; a gest.
Joke
(figuratively) The root cause or main issue, especially an unexpected one
Jest
(obsolete) A mask; a pageant; an interlude.
Joke
(figuratively) A laughably worthless thing or person; a sham.
Your effort at cleaning your room is a joke.
The president was a joke.
Jest
To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.
Surely you jest!
Joke
(figuratively) Something that is far easier or far less challenging than expected.
The final exam was a joke.
Jest
Alternative spelling of just
Joke
(intransitive) To do or say something for amusement rather than seriously.
I didn’t mean what I said — I was only joking.
Jest
A deed; an action; a gest.
The jests or actions of princes.
Joke
(intransitive, followed by with) To dupe in a friendly manner for amusement; to mess with, play with.
Relax, man, I'm just joking with you.
Jest
A mask; a pageant; an interlude.
He promised us, in honor of our guest,To grace our banquet with some pompous jest.
Joke
To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally.
To joke a comrade
Jest
The object of laughter or sport; a laughingstock.
Then let me be your jest; I deserve it.
And given in earnest what I begged in jest.
Joke
Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive (commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a witticism; as, to crack good-natured jokes.
And gentle dullness ever loves a joke.
Or witty joke our airy senses movesTo pleasant laughter.
Jest
To take part in a merrymaking; - especially, to act in a mask or interlude.
Joke
Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport.
Inclose whole downs in walls, 't is all a joke.
Jest
To make merriment by words or actions; to joke; to make light of anything.
He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
Joke
To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to joke a comrade.
Jest
A humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter;
He told a very funny joke
He knows a million gags
Thanks for the laugh
He laughed unpleasantly at hisown jest
Even a schoolboy's jape is supposed to have some ascertainable point
Joke
To do something for sport, or as a joke; to be merry in words or actions; to jest.
He laughed, shouted, joked, and swore.
Jest
Activity characterized by good humor
Joke
A humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter;
He told a very funny joke
He knows a million gags
Thanks for the laugh
He laughed unpleasantly at hisown jest
Even a schoolboy's jape is supposed to have some ascertainable point
Jest
Tell a joke; speak humorously;
He often jokes even when he appears serious
Joke
Activity characterized by good humor
Jest
Act in a funny or teasing way
Joke
A ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
Joke
A triviality not to be taken seriously;
I regarded his campaign for mayor as a joke
Joke
Tell a joke; speak humorously;
He often jokes even when he appears serious
Joke
Act in a funny or teasing way
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