joker

noun

jok·​er ˈjō-kər 

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 (such 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

Synonyms of joker

• comedian

Examples of joker in a Sentence

Jokers are wild in this game.

I can't believe I let that joker beat me.

Some joker hit our car.

Recent Examples on the Web

At some point, all these jokers need to sit down and stop auditioning for attention long enough to actually do the jobs they were elected or appointed to do. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

But the other main parties called it a stunt and refused to take part, leaving Farage running against an assortment of independents, jokers and single-issue candidates led by Count Binface, a comic space alien with a trash can on his head. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

The win came July 30 with a hand of four aces and a joker, the casino said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Arnetra and her sister, Akiva, described Darius as a joker, always striving to bring joy to those around him. — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for joker

• broker
• choker
• coker
• croaker
• ochre
• poker
• smoker
• mediocre
• pawnbroker
• stockbroker

Kids Definition

joker

noun

jok·​er ˈjō-kər 

1

: a person who jokes

2

: an extra card used in some card games

3

: a hidden or misleading part of an agreement that works to one party's disadvantage : catch

4

: human being, fellow

especially : an obnoxious or incompetent person