jokester

Jokester is a term for a person who tells jokes or makes humorous remarks with the aim of provoking laughter. In everyday speech, a jokester can be a friend who lightens a room with witty asides or a performer who builds quick, light-hearted bits. The label is informal and not tied to a fixed profession.

The word derives from joke plus the agent suffix -ster, indicating a person who does something. It is first attested in 19th-century English and remains a casual descriptor rather than an official title. It differs from jester, which historically referred to a professional fool, though both involve humor.

Jokesters often rely on verbal wit, puns, and improvised remarks. In social settings they can defuse tension or enliven events; in media they appear as characters, writers, or performers who emphasize humor. The term can overlap with prankster when humor comes from playful mischief, though a prankster typically focuses on practical jokes.

Cultural and platform differences shape jokester styles. Online, casual jokesters post witty comments or memes; in stand-up and sketch, they may use longer routines. Regardless of format, the core of jokester humor is timely, audience-aware commentary that aims to entertain rather than lecture.

Related terms include jester, comedian, prankster, and humorist.