jester

[ jes-ter ]

noun

1. a person who is given to witticisms, jokes, and pranks.
2. a professional fool or clown, especially at a medieval court.

jester

/ ˈdʒɛstə /

noun

1. a professional clown employed by a king or nobleman, esp at courts during the Middle Ages

Word History and Origins

Origin of jester¹

First recorded in 1325–75, jester is from the Middle English word gester. See gest, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Created by a solo developer known only as LocalThunk, card game Balatro - which takes its name from the Latin for jester or buffoon - is one of the year's biggest success stories.

From BBC

Trump is a jester inside the palace, playing at the role of king, but mocking the very idea of principled leadership in the process.

From Salon

“And I’m the court jester,” customer Scott Richardson chimed in.

From Los Angeles Times

“I do consider myself a clown and a court jester, and I do love to make people laugh, whether they’re laughing with me or at me,” he told Men’s Health in 2012.

From Los Angeles Times

She could: She plays the Fool — usually a male role — the court jester whose comic antics soften the sting of bracingly honest commentary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clown
• jokester