jester
noun
jest·er ˈje-stər 
1
: fool sense 2a
2
: one given to jests
Synonyms
- card
- comedian
- comic
- droll
- farceur
- funnyman
- gagger
- gagman
- gagster
- humorist
- joker
- jokester
- wag
- wit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a gentle jester, the cartoonist more often tries to evoke a broad smile than a hearty guffaw the king called for some much-needed entertainment from his jester
Recent Examples on the Web What sort of inspired me was that Rick has always in my mind been something of a jester, with his image and even his personality. 
Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2022 Under the tent, John Lynch and Jasmine Renee arrange the props, from crowns to the skull of Yorick the jester. cleveland, 5 July 2022 Among the lovers, thespians and fairies are such beloved characters as Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies, the mischievous jester Puck and the hapless weaver Nick Bottom. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2022 Happy to stay until the end of the month to train a new jester. Claire Friedman, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022 Gaston received additional demeaning emails, as well as a package delivered to his home on Nov. 2, that included a court jester’s hat. Jacob Scholl, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 June 2022 The king thought the whole situation was pretty funny and suggested John be made into a court jester. Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022 For Thunberg’s delegation, there was none of the court jester humiliation that had befallen early trips to Edo—no need to sing and dance for the shogun. Rob Goss, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2022 On Breaking Bad, Saul had been a world-wise jester, all quips and garish suits. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2022 See More
Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2022 Under the tent, John Lynch and Jasmine Renee arrange the props, from crowns to the skull of Yorick the jester. cleveland, 5 July 2022 Among the lovers, thespians and fairies are such beloved characters as Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies, the mischievous jester Puck and the hapless weaver Nick Bottom. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2022 Happy to stay until the end of the month to train a new jester. Claire Friedman, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022 Gaston received additional demeaning emails, as well as a package delivered to his home on Nov. 2, that included a court jester’s hat. Jacob Scholl, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 June 2022 The king thought the whole situation was pretty funny and suggested John be made into a court jester. Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022 For Thunberg’s delegation, there was none of the court jester humiliation that had befallen early trips to Edo—no need to sing and dance for the shogun. Rob Goss, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2022 On Breaking Bad, Saul had been a world-wise jester, all quips and garish suits. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English gestour "reciter of romances, minstrel, entertainer," from gesten "to recite romances" + -our -er entry 2 — more at jest entry 2
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
jester
noun
jest·er ˈjes-tər
: a person formerly kept in royal courts to amuse people
jester
noun
1
as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor a gentle jester, the cartoonist more often tries to evoke a broad smile than a hearty guffaw Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- comedian
- jokester
- humorist
- clown
- entertainer
- droll
- funnyman
- farceur
- wag
- joker
- comic
- card
- wit
- buffoon
- gagger
- harlequin
- gagman
- kidder
- comedienne
- gagster
- prankster
- knockabout
- parodist
- wisecracker
- caricaturist
- zany
- quipster
- fool
- practical joker
- satirist
- cutup
- teaser
- banterer
- quipper
- lampooner
2
as in clown
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks the king called for some much-needed entertainment from his jester Synonyms & Similar Words
- clown
- harlequin
- fool
- joker
- comedian
- buffoon
- motley
- jokester
- droll
- madcap
- comic
- comedienne
- wag
- zany
- mime
- mummer
- cutup
- vice
- merry-andrew