Jester
n.capable, joyfuleveryday
What it means
An entertainer who uses jokes, wit, and comic performance to amuse others.
Reach for it when describing a comic performer, especially in a historical or theatrical setting
The festival jester improvised a rhyme about every arriving cart.
Choose between these
7- playful
prankster
mischievous practical jokes define the behavior
not when Prankster suggests disruption and may not amuse the target.
- everyday
clown
physical comedy and costume are central
not when Clown can sound demeaning when wit rather than slapstick is being praised.
- everyday
comedian
professional joke performance is the modern context
not when Comedian lacks the historical costume and courtly role suggested by jester.
- professional
comic
a concise modern term for a comedy performer fits
not when Comic can also describe style or print storytelling, which may blur the reference.
- formal
clever verbal humor is the admired ability
not when A wit need not perform or take on an entertainer's role.
- literary
fool
a traditional court entertainer is meant
not when Fool readily becomes an insult when the performance role is not explicit.
- literary
someone creates communal festivity beyond telling jokes
not when Merrymaker does not imply professional comic skill.
Said against
3- solemnist
- bore
- killjoy
It naturally appears in
3- court jester
The court jester used a riddle to challenge the boastful minister.
- festival jester
A festival jester kept the children laughing between performances.
- skilled jester
The skilled jester balanced satire with kindness toward the crowd.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English noun sense: a person who jokes or performs as a fool opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.