jester

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "jester" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a person who jokes or entertains, often in a historical or literary context. An example: "The king's jester provided laughter during the long winter nights." Alternative expressions include "fool" and "clown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gove lacked the wealth of the rest of the Notting Hill set, but with natural wit had become the court jester of the gang.

The Guardian

In terms of prestige, Longford had reached the pinnacle of his career but, in practice, he was impotent, and often resorted to playing up to his image as the cabinet jester.

The Guardian

On the other hand, we have Quentin Tarantino, the court jester of mayhem, making good on the lurking connection between violence and laughter by making violence into its own comedy: hyperbolized, postmodern, extreme.

The Guardian - Film

Professional buskers in jester hats do it all the time.

The Guardian - Opinion

X Factor needs a court jester.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She once seemed Ukraine's populist answer to Russia's neo-fascist jester, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, although her language is of the fiery Bolshevik brand: she wants to send the country's current rulers to the uranium mines.

The Economist

The royal government squandered money on misguided aviation and shipping ventures, and the bulk of the $56m it secured from selling passports was frittered away in poor investments by a visiting American rogue rather quaintly appointed by the king as his "court jester".

The Economist

Mocking this, a jester recommended that moonlight also be prohibited so that the need for oil would be greater still.

The Economist

But he occasionally looks like Mr Jobs's court jester in this role, and the mere fact that Mr Jobs grants him such exposure may indicate that he is not the chosen one.

The Economist

Downey held court as both king and jester, rousing his audience by hounding his guests.

The Economist

He died at the age of 34, though the doctor who attended him thought he was twice as old; the year was 1955, when the paths of jazz and pop music were already fast diverging.One musician who did make a commercial success of bebop was Parker's canny cohort, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, who led both big and small bands and presented himself as jester as well as virtuoso.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "jester" in historical or literary contexts, ensure it accurately reflects the role and characteristics of a traditional court jester. Otherwise, consider alternative terms like "comedian" or "humorist" for contemporary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "jester" as a direct synonym for "comedian" or "humorist" in contemporary settings. While the term can be applied metaphorically, its historical connotations might not always be appropriate or convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "jester" is as a noun. It refers to a person, specifically one who entertains with jokes and antics. Ludwig examples show it often appears as a subject or object in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "jester" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a person who entertains, often with jokes and antics. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees very common usage in contemporary writing, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedia contexts. While "jester" often carries historical connotations, it can also be used metaphorically. When using "jester", remember to consider if a more modern alternative like "comedian" or "humorist" might be a better fit for your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

court fool

A historical term for a jester employed by a royal court.

fool

A general term for someone who acts silly or makes others laugh.

clown

Specifically refers to a comedic performer, often in a circus or similar setting.

buffoon

Suggests a ridiculous or comical figure, often intentionally so.

comedian

A professional entertainer who tells jokes or performs comedy routines.

wit

Someone skilled at making clever and amusing remarks.

humorist

A writer or performer known for their humor.

gagster

Someone who tells jokes or pulls pranks.

trickster

A mischievous figure who plays pranks or deceives others.

merry-andrew

An archaic term for a clown or jester.

FAQs

How to use "jester" in a sentence?

You can use "jester" to refer to a historical court entertainer, as in "The king's jester entertained the court with jokes", or metaphorically to describe someone who is always joking.

What can I say instead of "jester"?

You can use alternatives like "fool", "clown", "comedian" or "humorist" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "jester" or "court fool"?

"Jester" is a general term, while "court fool" specifically refers to a jester employed by a royal court. Both are correct, but their usage depends on the specific context you want to convey.

What's the difference between "jester" and "comedian"?

A "jester" typically refers to a historical figure who entertained in royal courts, often with physical comedy and wordplay. A "comedian" is a modern entertainer who performs stand-up, acts in films, or creates other forms of comedy.