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

Some years, nominees treat the commercial breaks as a high-profile karaoke opportunity. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 June 2025

Protests grow more inclusive South Korea’s latest feminist movement gained momentum after the 2016 murder of a woman in a karaoke bar bathroom sparked nationwide outrage over misogyny. —Yejin Gim, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025

Whoever is down to dance, do karaoke, and play board games until the sun goes down. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 May 2025

In addition to being a place to drink and do karaoke, Vern’s offered live entertainment, including burlesque shows and drag performances, held sip-and-paint classes and other events, and most recently hosted an adult Easter egg hunt. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 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