jape

[ jeyp ]

verb (used without object)

, japed, jap·ing.

1. to jest; joke; gibe.

verb (used with object)

, japed, jap·ing.

1. to mock or make fun of.

noun

1. a joke; jest; quip.
2. a trick or practical joke.

jape

/ dʒeɪp /

noun

1. a jest or joke

verb

1. to joke or jest (about)

Derived Forms

• ˈjapery, noun
• ˈjapingly, adverb
• ˈjaper, noun

Other Words From

• japer noun
• japer·y noun
• japing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jape¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English japen, perhaps from Old French jap(p)er “to bark,” of imitative origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of jape¹

C14: perhaps from Old French japper to bark, yap, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

It was clearly meant to be a sycophantic gesture, but the jape backfired like a blocked Victorian shotgun.

From The Daily Beast

The wink and gasp of Angus Jones as that flagrant vintage seared his throat ended the gentle jape as far as I was concerned.

From Project Gutenberg

It made a new game for him, you see, amusing and rather flattering as well, the kind of a jape he was all too apt at.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the smoking-room humorists mocked his accent and ventured a crude jape.

From Project Gutenberg

And when I say this, I do jape with words, and may hap ye understond me not.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm goin' to jape a bit with our friend, a' la 'Molly' Fairburn.

From Project Gutenberg