Comprehensive List of Words Starting with J by Part of Speech (with Meanings & Examples)

Word & Pronunciation

Meaning

Example Sentence

Jacket /ˈdʒækɪt/

An outer garment covering the upper body, usually with sleeves and fasteners down the front.

The temperature dropped suddenly, so I put on my jacket before heading outside.

Jail /dʒeɪl/

A place where people are kept when they have been arrested or imprisoned by law.

The criminal was sent to jail for five years after his conviction.

Jam /dʒæm/

A sweet spread made by boiling fruit with sugar to a thick consistency.

She spread strawberry jam on her toast for breakfast.

January /ˈdʒænjueri/

The first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar.

We typically experience the coldest temperatures in January where I live.

Jazz /dʒæz/

A type of music originating from African Americans, characterized by improvisation and syncopated rhythms.

The club features live jazz performances every Friday night.

Jewel /ˈdʒuːəl/

A precious stone, especially when cut and polished or set in jewelry.

The crown was adorned with various jewels, including diamonds and rubies.

Job /dʒɒb/

A paid position of regular employment; a task or piece of work.

She recently accepted a new job at a technology company.

Joint /dʒɔɪnt/

A point where two parts of a structure are joined; also, a place where people meet for a specific activity.

The pain in my knee joint makes it difficult to climb stairs.

Journal /ˈdʒɜːnl/

A newspaper or magazine specialized in a particular subject; also, a personal record of events or experiences.

I write in my journal every evening before going to sleep.

Journey /ˈdʒɜːni/

An act of traveling from one place to another, especially over a long distance.

The journey across the country took three days by train.

Judge /dʒʌdʒ/

A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.

The judge listened carefully to the arguments from both sides before making a decision.

Juice /dʒuːs/

The liquid extracted from fruits or vegetables.

I prefer fresh orange juice with my breakfast every morning.

Jungle /ˈdʒʌŋɡl/

Dense forest in a tropical region, typically with thick vegetation at ground level.

The explorers spent weeks navigating through the jungle.

Jurisdiction /ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃn/

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments; the territory over which legal authority extends.

This case falls under the jurisdiction of the federal court.

Justice /ˈdʒʌstɪs/

The quality of being fair and reasonable; the administration of the law or authority in maintaining this.

The victims' families demanded justice for the crime committed.

Word & Pronunciation

Meaning

Example Sentence

Jabber /ˈdʒæbər/

To talk rapidly, indistinctly, or unintelligibly.

The excited children jabbered about their trip to the amusement park.

Jack /dʒæk/

To raise something, especially a car, using a jack (lifting device).

We had to jack the car up to change the flat tire.

Jag /dʒæɡ/

To cut or tear in an uneven way; to move forward in short, quick movements.

The scissors jagged the edge of the paper, ruining the straight line.

Jam /dʒæm/

To force something into a space that is too small; to block or become stuck.

Don't jam too many clothes into the washing machine at once.

Jangle /ˈdʒæŋɡl/

To make or cause to make a harsh, metallic sound.

The keys jangled in her pocket as she walked.

Jar /dʒɑːr/

To shock or surprise in an unpleasant way; to shake or vibrate.

The sudden loud noise jarred me awake from a deep sleep.

Jaunt /dʒɔːnt/

To make a short journey or excursion, usually for pleasure.

We jaunted to the countryside for the weekend.

Jazz (up) /dʒæz ʌp/

To make more lively, exciting, or interesting.

They jazzed up the presentation with colorful graphics and animation.

Jeer /dʒɪər/

To mock or taunt with contemptuous or insulting words.

The crowd jeered at the defeated team as they left the field.

Jeopardize /ˈdʒepərdaɪz/

To put at risk of harm, loss, or failure.

His reckless actions jeopardized the success of the entire project.

Jest /dʒest/

To joke or speak in a playful manner.

He was only jesting when he said he could eat ten hamburgers.

Jet /dʒet/

To travel by jet aircraft; to shoot out in a stream.

We jetted to Paris for the weekend conference.

Jiggle /ˈdʒɪɡl/

To move up and down or from side to side with small, rapid movements.

She jiggled the handle to get the door to open.

Jilt /dʒɪlt/

To suddenly reject or abandon (a lover).

She felt devastated after being jilted by her fiancé a week before the wedding.

Join /dʒɔɪn/

To connect or link; to become a member or participant.

Many students join clubs to meet new people with similar interests.

Joke /dʒəʊk/

To say or do something amusing or humorous.

He always jokes about his height to make others feel comfortable.

Jolt /dʒəʊlt/

To move or cause to move with a sudden, rough or violent motion.

The bus jolted forward, causing passengers to grab their seats.

Jostle /ˈdʒɒsl/

To push, elbow, or bump against someone in a rough way.

Commuters jostled each other on the crowded subway platform.

Journey /ˈdʒɜːni/

To travel, especially a long distance.

They journeyed across Europe for three months after graduation.

Judge /dʒʌdʒ/

To form an opinion or conclusion about something.

It's important not to judge people based on appearances.

Juggle /ˈdʒʌɡl/

To continuously toss and catch multiple objects in the air; to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

She skillfully juggled her career, education, and family responsibilities.

Jump /dʒʌmp/

To push oneself off a surface and into the air using the muscles in one's legs.

The children jumped into the swimming pool on the hot summer day.

Justify /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/

To prove or show to be reasonable, just, or right.

The company tried to justify the price increase by citing rising production costs.

Juxtapose /ˈdʒʌkstəpəʊz/

To place or deal with close together for contrasting effect.

The documentary juxtaposes the lives of the wealthy and the impoverished.

Word & Pronunciation

Meaning

Example Sentence

Jabby /ˈdʒæbi/

Having a tendency to poke or jab; sharp or pointed.

The jabby ends of the wire fence pose a safety hazard.

Jaded /ˈdʒeɪdɪd/

Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having too much of something.

After twenty years in the industry, she had become jaded and uninspired.

Jagged /ˈdʒæɡɪd/

Having a rough, uneven surface or edge with sharp points.

Be careful of the jagged rocks along the shoreline.

Jammy /ˈdʒæmi/

Very lucky; sticky or covered with jam.

He got a jammy promotion without even applying for it.

Jangled /ˈdʒæŋɡəld/

Upset or discordant; making a harsh, metallic sound.

The loud construction left her nerves jangled for hours.

Jaunty /ˈdʒɔːnti/

Having or expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner.

He wore his hat at a jaunty angle as he strolled through the park.

Jazzy /ˈdʒæzi/

Brightly colored and showy; relating to or characteristic of jazz.

She wore a jazzy outfit to the music festival.

Jealous /ˈdʒeləs/

Feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages.

His jealous remarks about his colleague's promotion revealed his insecurity.

Jittery /ˈdʒɪtəri/

Nervous or tense; characterized by small, rapid movements.

The jittery candidate fidgeted throughout the job interview.

Jobless /ˈdʒɒblɪs/

Without paid employment; unemployed.

The jobless rate decreased slightly in the last quarter.

Jocose /dʒəˈkəʊs/

Playful or humorous.

His jocose manner made him popular at social gatherings.

Jocular /ˈdʒɒkjʊlər/

Fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful.

The professor's jocular comments lightened the mood in the classroom.

Jolly /ˈdʒɒli/

Happy and cheerful; festive and enjoyable.

The jolly shopkeeper always had a smile for his customers.

Jovial /ˈdʒəʊviəl/

Cheerful and friendly.

My grandfather's jovial personality made him beloved by everyone who knew him.

Joyful /ˈdʒɔɪfʊl/

Feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness.

The joyful sounds of children playing filled the playground.

Joyless /ˈdʒɔɪlɪs/

Without joy or happiness; gloomy or dismal.

The once vibrant festival had become a joyless obligation for the community.

Jubilant /ˈdʒuːbɪlənt/

Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.

The jubilant fans celebrated their team's championship victory.

Judicious /dʒuːˈdɪʃəs/

Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.

Her judicious investment decisions helped secure her financial future.

Jumbo /ˈdʒʌmbəʊ/

Very large of its kind.

We ordered a jumbo pizza to feed the entire team.

Jumpy /ˈdʒʌmpi/

Nervous and easily startled.

The jumpy cat hid under the bed during the thunderstorm.

Junior /ˈdʒuːniər/

Of or for young or younger people; lower in rank or standing.

The junior employees received mentorship from senior staff members.

Just /dʒʌst/

Based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.

She is known for being a just and fair manager to all her employees.

Juvenile /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl/

Of, for, or relating to young people; childish or immature.

His juvenile behavior was inappropriate for a professional setting.

Word & Pronunciation

Meaning

Example Sentence

Jaggedly /ˈdʒæɡɪdli/

In a rough, uneven manner with sharp points or edges.

The lightning bolt cut jaggedly across the night sky.

Jarringly /ˈdʒɑːrɪŋli/

In a way that is unpleasantly surprising or discordant.

The modern sculpture stood jarringly against the classical architecture.

Jauntily /ˈdʒɔːntɪli/

In a confident, cheerful, and self-assured manner.

She walked jauntily down the street, swinging her new handbag.

Jealously /ˈdʒeləsli/

In a manner showing envy or concern over a perceived advantage.

He jealously guarded his research findings from competitors.

Jeeringly /ˈdʒɪərɪŋli/

In a mocking or scornful manner.

The opposition jeeringly dismissed the proposal without proper consideration.

Jerkily /ˈdʒɜːkɪli/

With sudden, irregular movements.

The novice driver moved jerkily through the parking lot.

Jestingly /ˈdʒestɪŋli/

In a joking or playful manner.

He mentioned jestingly that he could eat the entire cake himself.

Jitterily /ˈdʒɪtərɪli/

In a nervous or anxious manner.

She waited jitterily for the test results to be announced.

Jocosely /dʒəˈkəʊsli/

In a humorous or playful way.

He jocosely referred to himself as the office coffee expert.

Jocularly /ˈdʒɒkjʊləli/

In a humorous or joking manner.

The speaker jocularly addressed the audience to ease tensions.

Jointly /ˈdʒɔɪntli/

Together with another person or other people.

The two companies jointly developed the new technology.

Jollily /ˈdʒɒlɪli/

In a cheerful and happy manner.

The children sang jollily as they decorated the Christmas tree.

Jovially /ˈdʒəʊviəli/

In a cheerful and friendly manner.

The host greeted guests jovially at the entrance.

Joyfully /ˈdʒɔɪfʊli/

In a way that expresses or causes great pleasure and happiness.

The family celebrated joyfully when they heard the good news.

Joylessly /ˈdʒɔɪləsli/

Without joy or enthusiasm; in a gloomy manner.

He performed his duties joylessly, counting the minutes until he could leave.

Jubilantly /ˈdʒuːbɪləntli/

In a way that shows great happiness and triumph.

The crowd responded jubilantly to the announcement of the victory.

Judicially /dʒuːˈdɪʃəli/

In a way that relates to courts of law or to a judge; in a legally sound manner.

The matter was judicially reviewed by the Supreme Court.

Judiciously /dʒuːˈdɪʃəsli/

In a way showing good judgment or sense.

She judiciously allocated the limited resources among various departments.

Jumpily /ˈdʒʌmpɪli/

In a nervous or restless manner.

He moved jumpily around the room before his important presentation.

Justifiably /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪəbli/

In a way that can be shown to be right or reasonable.

She was justifiably angry when she discovered the deception.

Justly /ˈdʒʌstli/

In a fair and reasonable way; deservedly.

The critic justly praised the film for its innovative storytelling.