Definition of joke
1a : something said or done to provoke laughter; especially : a brief oral narrative with a climactic humorous twistb (1) : the humorous or ridiculous element in something (2) : an instance of jesting : kidding can't take a jokec : practical joked : laughingstock
2 : something not to be taken seriously : a trifling matter consider his skiing a joke — Harold Callender —often used in negative constructions it is no joke to be lost in the desert
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Examples of joke in a Sentence
She meant it as a joke, but many people took her seriously.
They played a harmless joke on him.
They are always making jokes about his car.
I heard a funny joke yesterday.
the punch line of a joke
I didn't get the joke.
That exam was a joke.
Their product became a joke in the industry.
He's in danger of becoming a national joke.
Recent Examples of joke from the Web
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The mother of the bride doesn’t know that the wedding is all a big joke and a charade and a futile attempt to wring meaning from banality.
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With tripe on the menu after a hard day negotiating Britain’s withdrawal from the EU... well, the joke tells itself really.
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Meanwhile, Tom Brady can barely get into his local country club (no joke) and Julio Jones had to take a part-time gig at Wawa just to make ends meet.
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ESPN's NBA reporter Chris Haynes says Durant actually played along with the joke.
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Male masturbation jokes always get laughs in buddy movies and comedy routines.
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For years that was a running joke between Collins and Kennedy.
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Making jokes about Americans has been endorsed and indulged by the British literary and political classes for over 200 years now.
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Jokes aside, Rhimes makes a powerful point in a world where unrealistic body ideals are everywhere and a person's size is often linked to their value.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'joke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of joke
Latin jocus; perhaps akin to Old High German gehan to say, Sanskrit yācati he asks
joke
Definition of joke
joked
;joking
Examples of joke in a Sentence
My friends would joke about the uniform I had to wear at work.
She joked about the possibility of losing her job.
I thought he was joking when he said he might quit, but it turned out that he really meant it.
Don't take it seriously: I was only joking.
She spent a few minutes joking with reporters after giving her speech.
She joked that she could always get work as a truck driver if she lost her job.
Recent Examples of joke from the Web
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At a diplomatic reception, a senior French official joked that the tattoo on her arm was like a cloakroom ticket.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'joke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of joke
1670
JOKE Defined for English Language Learners
joke
playDefinition of joke for English Language Learners
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: something said or done to cause laughter
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: a brief story with a surprising and funny ending
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: someone or something that is not worth taking seriously
joke
Definition of joke for English Language Learners
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: to say things that are meant to cause laughter : to make jokes about someone or something
JOKE Defined for Kids
Definition of joke for Students
1 : something said or done to cause laughter or amusement They hid his shoes as a joke.
2 : a very short story with a funny ending that is a surprise The boys sat around telling jokes.
3 : something not worthy of being taken seriously Her excuse was a joke.
Definition of joke for Students
joked
;joking
1 : to say or do something to cause laughter or amusement
2 : to make funny remarks The children joked about my cooking.
Learn More about joke
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See words that rhyme with joke Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for joke Spanish Central: Translation of joke Nglish: Translation of joke for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of joke for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about joke
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