jest
gb/d͡ʒˈɛst/ us/d͡ʒˈɛst/
B2
English
~ 3500
vicc, tréfa, viccel, viccelődik, játékosság, tréfából, tréfás hangulat
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] makes a jest about [something]
He made a jest about the weather to lighten the mood.
Tréfás megjegyzést tett az időjárásról, hogy oldja a hangulatot.
Her quick jest broke the tension in the room.
Egy gyors tréfás megjegyzésével feloldotta a feszültséget a szobában.
They took his comment as a jest, not realizing he was serious.
The article was written half in jest and half in earnest.
Learner examples
He told a jest about his dog.
Elmondott egy viccet a kutyájáról.
Her jest made everyone laugh.
A vicce mindenkit megnevettetett.
That was only a jest, not true.
I like his jests.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'jest' with 'gesture' due to similar spelling, but they have very different meanings.
Meaning
A funny remark or act
Collocations
in jest
|make a jest
|a harmless jest
|jest about
Synonyms
joke (Most common everyday term; 'jest' is slightly more formal or literary.)
Antonyms
serious statement (Indicates that something is said sincerely, without humorous intent.)
Themes
humor
|communication
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you say or do to make people laugh.
A comment, story, or action intended to cause amusement or laughter.
VERB
B2
2
viccel
A2
viccelődik
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] jests about [something]
He jests about his own mistakes to put others at ease.
A saját hibáival viccelődik, hogy oldja mások feszültségét.
They often jest about their rivalry.
Gyakran viccelődnek a versengésükön.
She was only jesting when she said she would quit.
Learner examples
He jests about his work.
A munkájával viccelődik.
She jests with her friends.
A barátaival viccelődik.
I was only jesting.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'jest' as a verb means 'test' due to similar sound; clarify context of humor.
Meaning
To joke or speak humorously
Collocations
jest with friends
|jest about politics
|only jest
Synonyms
joke ('Joke' is more common in modern speech; 'jest' is slightly more formal or old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
state seriously (To speak with sincerity and seriousness rather than humor.)
Themes
humor
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To talk in a way that is meant to be funny.
To say something intended to be funny or playful, often without serious intent.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
3
His eyes sparkled with jest as he spoke.
Tréfás játékosság csillogott a szemében, miközben beszélt.
The meeting began in a spirit of jest but soon turned serious.
Az értekezlet tréfás hangulatban kezdődött, de hamar komolyra fordult.
Her manner was all in jest, never unkind.
Learner examples
He spoke in jest.
Tréfából mondta.
They worked in a mood of jest.
Tréfás hangulatban dolgoztak.
Her smile showed her jest.
Meaning
Playful or humorous conduct
Collocations
full of jest
|in a spirit of jest
Synonyms
playfulness ('Playfulness' is broader and not always verbal; 'jest' often implies verbal humor.)
Antonyms
earnestness (Serious and sincere manner with no joking.)
Themes
humor
|personality
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A way of acting that is fun and not serious.
Behavior characterized by joking, playfulness, or light-hearted teasing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
jest
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈɛst/
US/d͡ʒˈɛst/
Syllables & stress
jest (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (jest)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: jest
- 3rd Person Singular: jests
- Present Participle: jesting
- Past: jested
Word family
Forms
jests
verb
jesting
verb
jested
verb
Core family
jester
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
jocular
adjective
Expressions
in jest
1/ˈɪn d͡ʒˈɛst/
fixed phrase
Said or done as a joke
Said or done to be funny, not serious.
Examples
- I only said it in jest; please don’t be offended.
- Her comment was made in jest, not as an insult.