jape /dʒe I p/ (japes ) N‑COUNT A jape is a silly trick that you play on someone which is quite funny and which does not really involve upsetting them. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
jar /dʒɑː r / (jars , jarring , jarred )
1 N‑COUNT A jar is a glass container with a lid that is used for storing food. □ …yellow cucumbers in great glass jars.
2 N‑COUNT You can use jar to refer to a jar and its contents, or to the contents only. □ [+ of ] She opened up a glass jar of plums. □ [+ of ] …two jars of filter coffee.
3 VERB If something jars on you, you find it unpleasant, disturbing, or shocking. □ [V + on ] Sometimes a light remark jarred on her father. □ [V n] …televised congressional hearings that jarred the nation's faith in the presidency. □ [V ] You shouldn't have too many colours in a small space as the effect can jar. ● jar|ring ADJ □ In the context of this chapter, Dore's comments strike a jarring note.
4 VERB If an object jars , or if something jars it, the object moves with a fairly hard shaking movement. □ [V ] The ship jarred a little. □ [V n] The impact jarred his arm.
jar|gon /dʒɑː r gən/ N‑UNCOUNT You use jargon to refer to words and expressions that are used in special or technical ways by particular groups of people, often making the language difficult to understand. □ The manual is full of the jargon and slang of self-improvement courses.
jas|mine /dʒæ zm I n/ (jasmines ) N‑VAR Jasmine is a climbing plant which has small white or yellow flowers with a pleasant smell.
jaun|dice /dʒɔː nd I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Jaundice is an illness that makes your skin and eyes become yellow.
jaun|diced /dʒɔː nd I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has a jaundiced view of something, they can see only the bad aspects of it. □ The financial markets are taking a jaundiced view of the Government's motives.
jaunt /dʒɔː nt/ (jaunts ) N‑COUNT A jaunt is a short journey which you go on for pleasure or excitement.
jaun|ty /dʒɔː nti/ (jauntier , jauntiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as jaunty , you mean that they are full of confidence and energy. □ …a jaunty little man. ● jaun|ti|ly /dʒɔː nt I li/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ He walked jauntily into the cafe. □ The Arsenal striker remains jauntily confident.
Java /dʒɑː və/ N‑UNCOUNT Java is a computer programming language. It is used especially in creating websites. [TRADEMARK ]
jave|lin /dʒæ vl I n/ (javelins )
1 N‑COUNT A javelin is a long spear that is used in sports competitions. Competitors try to throw the javelin as far as possible.
2 N‑SING You can refer to the competition in which the javelin is thrown as the javelin . □ He won the javelin gold medal last night.
jaw /dʒɔː / (jaws )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your jaw is the lower part of your face below your mouth. The movement of your jaw is sometimes considered to express a particular emotion. For example, if your jaw drops , you are very surprised. □ He thought for a moment, stroking his well-defined jaw.
2 N‑COUNT A person's or animal's jaws are the two bones in their head which their teeth are attached to. □ …a forest rodent with powerful jaws.
3 N‑PLURAL If you talk about the jaws of something unpleasant such as death or hell, you are referring to a dangerous or unpleasant situation. □ [+ of ] A family dog rescued a newborn boy from the jaws of death.
jaw|bone /dʒɔː boʊn/ (jawbones ) also jaw bone N‑COUNT A jawbone is the bone in the lower jaw of a person or animal.
ja w-dropping ADJ Something that is jaw-dropping is extremely surprising, impressive, or shocking. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , JOURNALISM ] □ One insider who has seen the report said it was pretty jaw-dropping stuff.
jaw|line /dʒɔː la I n/ (jawlines ) also jaw line N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your jawline is the part of your lower jaw which forms the outline of the bottom of your face. □ …high cheekbones and strong jawline.
jay /dʒe I / (jays )
1 N‑COUNT In Europe and Asia, a jay is a brownish-pink bird with blue and black wings.
2 N‑COUNT In North America, a jay is a bird with bright blue feathers.
jay|walk|ing /dʒe I wɔːk I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Jaywalking is the act of walking across a street in a careless and dangerous way, or not at the proper place.
jazz ◆◇◇ /dʒæ z/ (jazzes , jazzing , jazzed ) N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Jazz is a style of music that was invented by African American musicians in the early part of the twentieth century. Jazz music has very strong rhythms and often involves improvisation. □ The pub has live jazz on Sundays.
▸ jazz up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you jazz something up , you make it look more interesting, colourful, or exciting. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] Mary Ann had made an effort at jazzing up the chilly modern interiors. □ [V n P ] I don't think they're just jazzing it up for the media.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone jazzes up a piece of music, they change it in order to make it sound more like popular music or jazz. □ [V n P ] Instead of playing it in the traditional style, she jazzed it up. □ [V P n] Stephen and I are going to jazz up the love songs.
jazzy /dʒæ zi/ (jazzier , jazziest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as jazzy , you mean that it is colourful and modern. □ …a jazzy tie.
jeal|ous /dʒe ləs/