joker

jok·er

noun \ˈjō-kər\

Definition of JOKER

1

a : a person given to joking : wag

b : fellow, guy; especially : an insignificant, obnoxious, or incompetent person <a shame to let a joker like this win — Harold Robbins>

2

: a playing card added to a pack as a wild card or as the highest-ranking card

3

a (1) : an ambiguous or apparently immaterial clause inserted in a legislative bill to make it inoperative or uncertain in some respect (2) : an unsuspected, misleading, or misunderstood clause, phrase, or word in a document that nullifies or greatly alters it

b : something (as an expedient or stratagem) held in reserve to gain an end or escape from a predicament

c : an unsuspected or not readily apparent fact, factor, or condition that thwarts or nullifies a seeming advantage

Examples of JOKER

1. Jokers are wild in this game.
2. I can't believe I let that joker beat me.
3. Some joker hit our car.

First Known Use of JOKER

circa 1726

Related to JOKER

Synonyms

card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster, jester, humorist, jokester, wag, wit

Related Words

comedienne, entertainer; banterer, cutup, kidder, knockabout, practical joker, prankster, quipper, quipster, teaser, wisecracker; buffoon, clown, fool, harlequin, zany; caricaturist, lampooner, parodist, satirist

Near Antonyms

hero, heroine, idol, role model; gentleman, lady; angel, saint

Rhymes with JOKER

broker, choker, croaker, ocher, poker, soaker, smoker, stoker, stroker