This list includes 64 Nouns that start with J, from “January” to “juxtaposition”. It covers common, countable and uncountable nouns, proper names, and useful compounds for writing, teaching, and study.
Nouns that start with J are English words beginning with J that name people, places, things, or ideas. Notably, “January” traces to the Roman god Janus, showing how language preserves history.
Below you’ll find the table with Noun, Definition, and Example.
Noun: The base word itself, so you can find the exact term to study or use in writing.
Definition: One-line, clear meaning that helps you quickly grasp each noun’s common everyday use and sense.
Example: A short natural sentence showing typical usage so you can see the noun in context.
Nouns that start with J
| Noun | Countability | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| jab | countable | A quick, sharp blow, typically with a fist or pointed object. | The boxer landed a sharp jab on his opponent’s chin. |
| jack | countable | A device for lifting heavy objects, especially vehicles. | He used a jack to lift the car and change the tire. |
| jacket | countable | A short coat, with sleeves and a fastener down the front. | She wore a warm jacket because the wind was quite cold. |
| jackpot | countable | The largest prize in a game, lottery, or competition. | Someone in our city won the huge lottery jackpot last night. |
| jail | countable | A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of crimes. | The suspect was taken to the county jail after his arrest. |
| jam | both | A sweet spread made from fruit, or a situation of congestion. | We were stuck in a terrible traffic jam for an hour. |
| jamboree | countable | A large celebration or party, typically a noisy and boisterous one. | The scout jamboree attracted over 5,000 participants from around the world. |
| janitor | countable | A person employed to clean and maintain a building. | The janitor cleaned the floors after the school day ended. |
| January | countable | The first month of the year, having 31 days. | We always celebrate the new year on the first of January. |
| Japan | countable | An island country in East Asia located in the Pacific Ocean. | Many tourists visit Japan to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. |
| jar | countable | A cylindrical glass or earthenware container with a wide mouth. | She kept her homemade cookies in a large glass jar. |
| jargon | uncountable | Special words or expressions used by a particular profession or group. | The doctor’s report was full of confusing medical jargon. |
| javelin | countable | A light spear designed to be thrown in a competitive field event. | The athlete threw the javelin over 80 meters for a record. |
| jaw | countable | The framework of the mouth, containing the teeth. | The shark’s powerful jaw can crush bone with ease. |
| jay | countable | A type of bird in the crow family, often brightly colored. | A blue jay landed on the branch just outside my window. |
| jealousy | uncountable | The state or feeling of being envious of someone’s advantages or success. | He felt a pang of jealousy when his friend won the award. |
| jeans | countable | Trousers made of denim, a sturdy cotton fabric. | He bought a new pair of blue jeans for the weekend. |
| jeep | countable | A small, sturdy motor vehicle with four-wheel drive. | They drove the jeep along the bumpy, unpaved country road. |
| jelly | both | A dessert made from a gelatinous substance, or a type of fruit spread. | For dessert, we had a fruit salad with some strawberry jelly. |
| jellyfish | countable | A free-swimming marine animal with a gelatinous, umbrella-shaped body. | We saw a large, beautiful jellyfish floating near the pier. |
| jeopardy | uncountable | Danger of loss, harm, or failure. | The company’s future was in jeopardy after the financial crisis. |
| jest | countable | A thing said or done for amusement; a joke. | His comment was made in jest, but she still felt offended. |
| jester | countable | A professional joker or “fool” at a medieval court. | The king’s jester entertained the royal court with songs and jokes. |
| jet | countable | An aircraft powered by jet engines. | The jet flew across the country in just a few hours. |
| jewel | countable | A precious stone, such as a diamond, ruby, or emerald. | The queen’s crown was decorated with many priceless jewels. |
| jewelry | uncountable | Personal ornaments, such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets. | She wore beautiful silver jewelry to the formal event. |
| jiffy | countable | A very short period of time; a moment. | I’ll be ready to leave in a jiffy, just let me grab my coat. |
| jigsaw | countable | A puzzle of interlocking pieces, or a saw with a fine blade. | We spent the whole rainy afternoon completing a 1,000-piece jigsaw. |
| jingle | countable | A short, simple tune or slogan used in advertising. | I can’t get that catchy commercial jingle out of my head. |
| jinx | countable | A person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck. | He considered the black cat to be a jinx before the game. |
| job | countable | A paid position of regular employment. | She is looking for a new job in the marketing industry. |
| jockey | countable | A person who rides horses in races, especially as a profession. | The jockey urged his horse onward to win the race. |
| jog | countable | A slow, steady run, especially as a form of exercise. | I like to go for a short jog in the park every morning. |
| joke | countable | A thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter. | He told a funny joke that made everyone in the room laugh. |
| joker | countable | A person who is fond of telling jokes or playing pranks. | He’s the office joker, always making the team laugh. |
| jolt | countable | An abrupt, rough, or violent movement. | The car came to a sudden jolt at the red light. |
| journal | countable | A newspaper, magazine, or a personal diary. | She writes in her personal journal every single night before bed. |
| journalism | uncountable | The activity of writing for newspapers, magazines, or news websites. | She studied journalism at college to become a reporter. |
| journalist | countable | A person who writes for newspapers, magazines, or news websites. | The journalist interviewed the mayor about the new city policy. |
| journey | countable | An act of traveling from one place to another. | Their long journey across the mountains took more than three weeks. |
| joy | both | A feeling of great pleasure and happiness. | The children shouted with joy when they saw all the presents. |
| jubilee | countable | A special anniversary of an event, especially one celebrating 25 or 50 years. | The town is preparing for the queen’s silver jubilee celebration. |
| judge | countable | A public official who decides cases in a court of law. | The judge listened carefully to both sides of the argument. |
| judgment | both | The ability to make considered decisions, or an official court decision. | She showed poor judgment by investing all her money in one company. |
| judo | uncountable | A modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan. | He has a black belt in judo and teaches classes twice a week. |
| jug | countable | A container with a handle and a lip, for holding and pouring liquids. | She filled the jug with fresh water from the kitchen tap. |
| juice | both | The natural liquid obtained from fruit or vegetables. | He starts every day with a fresh glass of orange juice. |
| jukebox | countable | A machine that automatically plays a selected musical recording. | He put a coin in the old jukebox and selected a classic song. |
| July | countable | The seventh month of the year, having 31 days. | Many families go on vacation during the month of July. |
| jumble | countable | An untidy collection or pile of things. | I found my old watch in a jumble of papers on his desk. |
| jump | countable | An act of pushing oneself off a surface and into the air. | The cat made a big jump from the fence to the roof. |
| jumper | countable | A warm knitted garment for the upper part of the body. | She wore a thick woolen jumper because the office was cold. |
| junction | countable | A point where two or more things, especially roads, meet. | Turn right at the next junction to get onto the highway. |
| June | countable | The sixth month of the year, having 30 days. | They are planning to get married sometime in late June. |
| jungle | countable | An area of land overgrown with dense forest and tangled vegetation. | The explorers made their way through the dense Amazon jungle. |
| junior | countable | A person who is younger or of a lower rank than another. | He is a junior employee at the law firm. |
| junk | uncountable | Old or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value. | We need to clear all of that junk out of the garage. |
| junta | countable | A military or political group that rules a country after taking power. | The country was ruled by a military junta for several years. |
| jurisdiction | both | The official power to make legal decisions and judgments. | The case falls outside this court’s jurisdiction. |
| juror | countable | A member of a jury in a court of law. | The lawyer tried to persuade each juror of her client’s innocence. |
| jury | countable | A body of people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case. | The jury found the defendant not guilty on all charges. |
| justice | uncountable | Just behavior or treatment; the quality of being fair and reasonable. | The victims’ families are still demanding justice for their loved ones. |
| justification | both | The action of showing something to be right or reasonable. | He offered no justification for his rude behavior at the meeting. |
| juxtaposition | both | The fact of two things being seen or placed close together. | The juxtaposition of old and new buildings makes the city interesting. |
Descriptions
jab
Also used for a hypodermic injection, often informally as in “flu jab.” The word can be both a noun and a verb.
jack
The word “jack” has many other meanings, including a playing card, a name, and a type of fish.
jacket
A very common item of clothing. It can be made of many materials, like leather, denim, or wool, for different styles and weather.
jackpot
Often used figuratively to mean great success or luck, as in “He hit the jackpot when he found that rare antique.”
jail
Often used interchangeably with “prison,” although technically jails are for shorter sentences or pre-trial detention, while prisons are for longer terms.
jam
As an uncountable noun, it refers to the food (e.g., “I like jam”). As a countable noun, it refers to a specific blockage (e.g., “a traffic jam”).
jamboree
This word is strongly associated with large national or international gatherings of Scouts, but can be used for any large, festive meeting.
janitor
The term “custodian” is often used as a synonym, particularly in American English.
January
Named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, who is often depicted with two faces looking to the past and future.
Japan
This is a proper noun. Proper nouns are always capitalized and refer to a specific person, place, or thing.
jar
Can also be a verb meaning to send a painful or damaging shock through something, as in “The impact jarred his whole body.”
jargon
Jargon makes communication efficient for insiders but is often difficult for outsiders to understand. It’s best to avoid when writing for a general audience.
javelin
The javelin throw is an ancient track and field event that is still a part of the modern Olympic Games.
jaw
The plural form “jaws” is often used to refer to something dangerous, as in “the jaws of defeat” or “the jaws of a trap.”
jay
Jays are known for their intelligence and their sometimes noisy, harsh calls. The term “jaywalking” is unrelated to the bird.
jealousy
While envy is wanting what someone else has, jealousy is the fear of losing what you already have to someone else.
jeans
This noun is a “plurale tantum,” meaning it is almost always used in its plural form. We say “a pair of jeans” to refer to one item.
jeep
Originally a brand name for a military vehicle, the word has become a generic term for any similar SUV-style car.
jelly
In American English, “jelly” is a clear fruit spread, while “jam” contains fruit pieces. In British English, “jelly” refers to the dessert.
jellyfish
Despite the name, jellyfish are not actually fish. They are invertebrates belonging to a different phylum.
jeopardy
Most famously known as the title of a popular American TV quiz show, where contestants’ winnings are in jeopardy with each question.
jest
This word is a bit more formal or literary than “joke.” It can also be a verb: “He was not jesting.”
jester
Jesters were often granted unique privileges to speak freely and mock their superiors, using humor to deliver truths.
jet
Also refers to a rapid stream of liquid or gas, as in “a jet of water.”
jewel
Can be used metaphorically to describe something highly valued, like “the jewel of his collection” or “a jewel of a city.”
jewelry
This is a non-count noun, so you cannot say “a jewelry” or “jewelries.” To specify a single item, you say “a piece of jewelry.”
jiffy
This is an informal, colloquial term. Its origin is uncertain, but it has been in use since the late 18th century.
jigsaw
The puzzles are named after the saw that was originally used to cut the intricate pieces out of wood.
jingle
Also refers to a light, ringing sound, like the jingle of sleigh bells.
jinx
Often used as a verb: “Don’t say I’m going to win; you’ll jinx me!”
job
Also used more generally to mean a task or piece of work, as in “It’s your job to clean your room.”
jockey
Can also be a verb meaning to maneuver for a better position, as in “jockeying for position.”
jog
This noun is derived directly from the verb “to jog.” The activity itself is called jogging.
joke
A “practical joke” is a trick played on someone to make them look foolish, rather than a story told.
joker
Also refers to a special playing card in a standard deck, which can be used as a wild card.
jolt
Can also be a psychological shock, as in “a jolt of surprise.”
journal
In academic contexts, a journal is a periodical containing articles on a particular subject, like “a medical journal.”
journalism
Journalism is guided by principles of truth, accuracy, and impartiality.
journalist
A journalist can work in print, broadcast (TV, radio), or online media.
journey
Often implies a longer, more significant trip than “travel” or “trip.” It can also be used metaphorically, as in “a spiritual journey.”
joy
Uncountable when referring to the general emotion. Countable when referring to a person or thing that causes happiness: “She was a joy to be around.”
jubilee
Common jubilees include silver (25 years), golden (50 years), and diamond (60 or 75 years).
judge
Can also refer to a person who decides the result of a competition, or someone with an opinion, as in “a good judge of character.”
judgment
Can be countable (“The court issued three judgments today”) or uncountable (“Use your best judgment”). Also spelled “judgement,” especially in British English.
judo
Judo, which means “gentle way,” emphasizes using an opponent’s own force against them.
jug
In American English, a “jug” often implies a larger container, sometimes with a screw top, like “a jug of milk.”
juice
Typically uncountable (e.g., “I like juice”). It becomes countable when referring to specific types or servings (“We offer three different juices”).
jukebox
Jukeboxes were most popular from the 1940s to the 1960s and are now often seen as retro or nostalgic items.
July
A proper noun. It was named after the Roman general Julius Caesar, who was born in this month.
jumble
Often used in the phrase “jumble sale,” which is a British term for a sale of miscellaneous secondhand goods, similar to a rummage sale.
jump
This word is very commonly used as both a noun and a verb.
jumper
In British English, “jumper” is a synonym for a sweater or pullover. In American English, it typically refers to a sleeveless dress worn over a blouse.
junction
Also used for railway lines, rivers, and even in electrical contexts (e.g., “a T-junction”).
June
A proper noun, named after the Roman goddess Juno, the protector of marriage and women.
jungle
The word is often used more broadly to refer to any situation that is wild, competitive, or lawless, as in “the corporate jungle.”
junior
In American high schools and colleges, a “junior” is a student in their third year of study.
junk
Can also refer to food that is high in calories but low in nutritional value, known as “junk food.”
junta
This word comes from Spanish and is often used to describe governments in Latin America, but can apply to any region.
jurisdiction
Can be uncountable (referring to authority in general) or countable (referring to a specific legal territory: “The FBI has jurisdiction in all 50 states”).
juror
A standard jury in the United States consists of 12 jurors who must reach a unanimous verdict in criminal cases.
jury
A “jury” is a collective noun. You can say “the jury is” (treating it as one unit) or “the jury are” (referring to the individuals).
justice
The abstract concept of fairness. A “justice” (countable) is also the title for a judge of a high court, like the Supreme Court.
justification
Can be uncountable (as in the example) or countable when referring to a specific reason (“He gave several justifications”).
juxtaposition
A more advanced vocabulary word, often used in art, literature, and design to describe the effect of placing contrasting elements side-by-side.