karaoke

noun

kar·​a·​o·​ke ˌker-ē-ˈō-kē 

ˌka-rē-

also

kə-ˈrō-kē  ˌkä-rä-ˈō-(ˌ)kā 

: a device that plays instrumental accompaniments for a selection of songs to which the user sings along and that records the user's singing with the music

a karaoke machine

also : a form of entertainment involving the use of such a device (as in a bar)

Examples of karaoke in a Sentence

That bar has karaoke on Saturday night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Treat yourself this weekend with a great deal and a nice karaoke session indoors or outdoors. —George Yang, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026

Brothers Leo and Oliver Kremer visited karaoke spots around the globe and almost always had the same impression. —Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Other viral moments from the event included Justin Bieber’s YouTube karaoke session and Sabrina Carpenter’s surprise guest list spanning Madonna and Will Ferrel to Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon and more. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026

In fact, small ordinary actions — comforting a crying baby, doing karaoke, checking on a patient after your shift — have to mean more. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from kara empty + ōke, short for ōkesutora orchestra

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for karaoke

• cloche
• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• smoky

Kids Definition

karaoke

noun

kar·​a·​o·​ke ˌkar-ē-ˌō-kē  kə-ˈrō-kē 

: a device that plays music to which the user sings along and that records the user's singing with the music