karaoke

noun

kar·​a·​o·​ke ˌker-ē-ˈō-kē 

ˌka-rē-

also

kə-ˈrō-kē  ˌkä-rä-ˈō-(ˌ)kā 

: a device that plays instrumental accompaniments for a selection of songs to which the user sings along and that records the user's singing with the music

a karaoke machine

also : a form of entertainment involving the use of such a device (as in a bar)

Examples of karaoke in a Sentence

That bar has karaoke on Saturday night.

Recent Examples on the Web

On one December night that year, Swift and One Direction reportedly enjoyed a karaoke outing together in New York City. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Nov. 2025

Public humiliation techniques for playful hazing, such as karaoke and talent shows, are used on occasion. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025

The activation features a holiday cocktail menu, karaoke on Friday nights and an ugly sweater shop. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025

Between game days, holiday events and karaoke every Wednesday, the bar makes a good gathering place. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from kara empty + ōke, short for ōkesutora orchestra

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for karaoke

• cloche
• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• smoky

Kids Definition

karaoke

noun

kar·​a·​o·​ke ˌkar-ē-ˌō-kē  kə-ˈrō-kē 

: a device that plays music to which the user sings along and that records the user's singing with the music