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

Travelers seeking bingo, karaoke, and poolside dance parties should book elsewhere. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

When Russians discovered karaoke, thousands of venues sprang up, from cheap sushi joints to lavish establishments where an orchestra and backup singers accompanied anyone willing to step onto the stage and, for a few minutes, feel like a star. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

At Oak Park’s Street Corner Music, the album will be celebrated Friday with the Maggot Brain Olympics, a listening party that will include a guitar contest, trivia and karaoke. — Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026

While the new idea of Stratt singing karaoke at a party threw her at first, Hüller came around. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 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