Meaning & use
jesting
Last updated
“jesting” is a form of “jest”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Joking and playful in manner, not serious.
Grammar: Describes tone or manner: a jesting remark.
Patterns
- a jesting tone
- jesting words
He gave a jesting reply that made everyone laugh.
Her jesting tone made it clear she was not angry.
They exchanged jesting remarks across the table.
noununcountable
The act of making jokes or teasing, often in a light-hearted way.
Grammar: Often in the phrase jesting aside: jesting aside, we need a plan.
Patterns
- jesting aside
- a spirit of jesting
Jesting aside, I think we should leave early.
The party was full of laughter and good-natured jesting.
Their jesting about the weather never stopped.
verbintransitive
Making jokes or speaking in fun rather than seriously, the -ing form of jest.
Grammar: No object, often followed by about or with: jesting about the matter.
Patterns
- jest about something
- jest with someone
She was jesting when she said she'd quit and become a clown.
Are you jesting, or is this really your plan?
They were jesting with the waiter all evening.
Word forms
| base form | jest |
|---|---|
| third person singular | jests |
| past tense | jested |
| -ing form | jesting |
Common combinations
- jesting aside
- Jesting aside, the proposal has real merit.
- jesting remark
- His jesting remark broke the tension.
- half jesting
- She was only half jesting when she said she wanted to move.
- jesting tone
- He spoke in a jesting tone.
- not jesting
- I am not jesting; the deadline really is tomorrow.
Synonyms and how they differ
- joking
- Joking is the everyday word, while jesting sounds old-fashioned or literary.
- teasing
- Teasing is aimed at a person, whereas jesting need not target anyone.
- playful
- Playful describes lightness of mood and does not require any actual joking.
- facetious
- Facetious suggests inappropriate jokiness at a serious moment, which jesting does not.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: jesting or jousting? jesting or gesturing?
jesting vs jousting
Jousting is a medieval sport of fighting on horseback with lances, and it only sounds similar.
jesting vs gesturing
Gesturing means moving hands to express something, unrelated to joking.
Practice
'Don't worry, I'm only ______; I would never really sell your bike.' Which word fits?
Choose one answer.
Jesting means joking, which matches the reassurance. Jousting sounds similar but is a sport, and protesting would not need the reassurance.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “jesting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.