knock-knock joke

noun

plural knock-knock jokes
: a formulaic joke that begins with the words "Knock knock" in imitation of someone knocking on a door

Note: The standard pattern of a knock-knock joke calls for a response of "Who's there?", a cryptic reply identifying the knocker, a further response repeating the name of the knocker followed by "who?", and a final joking reply typically featuring a pun or play on words.

William Cole … is a perpetrator of, and authority on, the knock-knock joke. "Knock-knock jokes are basically puns, that's all, and you've got to have a feel for the ludicrous," he says. …. he considers the following to be his best creation: "Knock knock." Who's there? "Amaryllis." Amaryllis who? "Amaryllis state agent. Wanna buy a house?"Glenn Collins
Big Bird to audience: "You're having fun, right? Okay, let's do a knock-knock joke. Knock knock." Audience: "Who's there?" BB: "Ya." Audience: "Ya who?" BB: "See, I told you you were having fun." Groan if you like, but it's a hoot to a 4-year-old.Steve Parks

Examples of knock-knock joke in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Izaak, 11, loves to laugh, especially at knock-knock jokes and funny cat videos. The Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2025 Charges for clever wordplay and knock-knock jokes more than tripled. Air Mail, 24 May 2025 That isn’t to say that Jost is handing over knock-knock jokes. Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025 Valentine's Day Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids Most kids love a good knock-knock joke. Fiona Tapp, Parents, 30 Jan. 2025 And what better way to greet your relatives than sharing a punny one-liner or knock-knock joke? Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024 Prince William's knock-knock joke at his latest engagement came with a playful comment about comedian Jack Whitehall, continuing their yearslong banter! Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knock-knock joke was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Knock-knock joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock-knock%20joke. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

knock-knock joke

noun
ˈnäk-ˈnäk-
: a punning joke beginning with the lines "Knock, knock." "Who's there?"
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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