What does jokester mean?
A jokester is a person who tells jokes, makes witty remarks, or otherwise amuses a group. The word often suggests someone whose humour is playful and conspicuous, such as a class clown, comic performer, or popular member of a social group. It can also have a historical or literary sense referring to a jester, a court entertainer who used jokes, riddles, music, and performance to entertain rulers and nobles. In modern usage, “jokester” is usually informal and sometimes teasing: calling someone a jokester may express affection for their wit, or may imply that their behaviour is immature or that they are avoiding serious matters. It is related to “joke” and “jester,” but unlike “joker,” it normally focuses on a person’s humorous role rather than a playing card or a deceiver.
A person who tells jokes or makes people laugh.
"He was the family jokester and could always lighten the mood."
Commonly informal; it may be affectionate or teasing depending on context.
A jester, especially a historical court entertainer whose function was to amuse others.
"The painting depicts a jokester in a brightly coloured costume."
This sense is more historical or literary and is less common in everyday speech.
The usual plural, though the word is relatively uncommon in ordinary modern usage.
"The two jokesters performed together at the village festival."
The jokester is the professional cousin of the classroom clown: someone whose wit makes a group laugh.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jokester come from?
The word is an English formation associated with “joke” and the older noun “jest,” both words connected with playful speech or amusement. The ending “-ster” is an agent-forming suffix that can denote someone who performs a specified activity, as in “songster” or “jester.” “Jester” itself has a separate but related history, ultimately developing from forms associated with jesting and court entertainment.
Related word forms
How jokester is actually used
Usually informal and mildly humorous. The word can sound affectionate when describing a person who regularly makes others laugh, but it may be dismissive when used to dismiss someone's ideas as unserious.
Easily confused with jokester
A jokester is a person known for telling jokes or amusing others, whereas a joker can also mean a playing card or someone who deceives others.