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

Fifteen years prior, the couple met on a blind date at a karaoke bar in 2002. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 16 May 2025

This should all play like hollow mimicry — less tribute than televisual karaoke. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025

The amenities, available to all residents, will include a lounge that’s accessible to all points of the building as well as a billiards room, a fitness center and a karaoke lounge. —Katherine Marks, New York Times, 12 May 2025

Life Kit heard from karaoke enthusiasts on how to pick a banger that will bring down the house. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 12 May 2025

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