jester JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/ˈdʒɛs.tə/ · jes·ter
noun
  1. A person who jokes, teases, or makes lighthearted remarks. The office jester kept morale high by cracking witty jokes during meetings.
  2. A performer in colourful garb and a fool's cap who entertained a royal or noble court in medieval and early modern Europe. The king relied on his jester to deliver sharp satire without fear of punishment.
  3. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Southeast Asian genus *Symbrenthia*. A bright orange jester fluttered among the tropical foliage, its wings patterned like a court costume.
Did you know? In many European courts, jesters were granted a unique license to mock the monarch, allowing them to voice dissenting opinions under the guise of humor.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 14, 2026