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.
Origin and Etymology of joke
Latin jocus; perhaps akin to Old High German gehan to say, Sanskrit yācati he asks
First Known Use: 1670
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.
1670
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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