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

The song has endured as a karaoke classic, eclipse soundtrack, and versatile pop resource, adapted by artists ranging from David Guetta to the Beta Band and the cast of Glee. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026

Andrea was supportive from the start, driving Taylor to Nashville to hand out demos of her singing karaoke. — Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

What were producers going to do if one of the safe couples had won karaoke? — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 6 July 2026

After the couples competed in a karaoke competition, host Ariana Madix revealed that America had voted for the most compatible couple on the show. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 6 July 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