Joke

Pronunciation

• Quebec IPA: /dÊ’oÊŠk/
• Rhymes: -əʊk

Origin

from Latin iocus

Full definition of joke

Noun

1. An amusing story.
• GayOr witty joke our airy senses moves
  To pleasant laughter.
2. Something said or done for amusement, not in seriousness.It was a joke!
• Alexander PopeEnclose whole downs in walls, 'tis all a joke.
3. (figuratively) The root cause or main issue, especially an unexpected one
4. (figuratively) A worthless thing or person.Your effort at cleaning your room is a joke.The president was a joke.

Usage notes

Adjectives often applied to "joke": old, bad, inside, poor, silly, funny, lame, hilarious, stupid, offensive.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

• jocular

Coordinate terms

• comedy
• limerick
• parody
• pun

Verb

1. (intransitive) To do or say something for amusement rather than seriously.I didn’t mean what I said — I was only joking.
2. (transitive, dated) To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally.to joke a comrade

Related terms

• joker