joke

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noun \ˈjōk\

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

Latin jocus; perhaps akin to Old High German gehan to say, Sanskrit yācati he asks

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First Known Use: 1670

See Words from the same year

verb

;

play \ˈjō-kiŋ-lē\ adverb

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.

1670

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noun

verb

: to say things that are meant to cause laughter : to make jokes about someone or something

play

noun \ˈjōk\

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.