joker

noun

jok·er | \ ˈjō-kər

Definition of joker

1a : 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

3a(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 Example Sentences Learn More About joker

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 Hamilton is a joker-piece defender who can line up all over the formation, giving defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio plenty of schematic options. — Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 2022 This week, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are the joker and queen, respectively; Pusha T is back in the lab; and Nicki Minaj makes more heat with Lil Baby. — Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2022 The pampered joker prince would soon find grounding, purpose, and a new wellspring of maternal pride. — Simon Usborne, Town & Country, 13 Mar. 2022 Around the firehouse, Butrim was known as a practical joker. — Lilly Price, baltimoresun.com, 2 Feb. 2022 The narrative voice is not that of a gentle professor but of a slightly manic bar-room joker who is actually funny and genuinely excited to share his passion with anyone who will listen—and anyone who won’t. — Julian Baggini, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2022 Beverley’s arrival and his joker position were a catalyst in Owusu-Koramoah’s high school career. — Ashley Bastock, cleveland, 8 Jan. 2022 Emmett was also known for being a practical joker and a sharp dresser — the only photos of the boy always showed him in a collar shirt and tie, and sometimes wearing a pork pie hat. — Arluther Lee, ajc, 19 Oct. 2020 Don't mind the Cadillac CT4-V, shown here on its joker lap. — Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 26 Dec. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'joker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.