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

• card
• comedian
• comic
• droll
• farceur
• funnyman
• gagger
• gagman
• gagster
• humorist
• jester
• jokester
• wag
• wit

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

Students are required to bring two full decks of cards including the jokers. —Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025

This lucky gambler had an 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king and a joker. —Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 20 Jan. 2025

Microsoft has just played its joker card twice in a week, forcing upgrades on millions of Windows PC owners. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Nobody makes it without heartache and tears, not even the joker. —Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

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