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

Other ideas include thrift store shopping, country line dancing, roller skating, karaoke, junk journaling, and getting manicures and pedicures. —Alicia Rancilio, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026

The spot used very little in the way of glitzy production, instead giving viewers what looked like a karaoke screen in a bar, and spurred them to sing along to a Backstreet Boys song. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026

She’s seen taking the rock out on dates, including karaoke and even makes a friendship bracelet for it, paying homage to the Eras tour friendship bracelets worn by fans. —Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026

If that wasn’t enough, Schoneboom detailed a round of karaoke that featured the freshmen, who were called to perform for their teammates. —Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026

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