poker

1 of 2

noun (1)

pok·​er ˈpō-kər 

: one that pokes

especially : a metal rod for stirring a fire

poker

2 of 2

noun (2)

po·​ker ˈpō-kər 

: any of several card games in which a player bets that the value of his or her hand is greater than that of the hands held by others, in which each subsequent player must either equal or raise the bet or drop out, and in which the player holding the highest hand at the end of the betting wins the pot

Illustration of poker

• 1 five of a kind
• 2 royal flush
• 3 straight flush
• 4 four of a kind
• 5 full house
• 6 flush
• 7 straight
• 8 three of a kind
• 9 two pair
• 10 one pair

Examples of poker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some longtime condo residents, all men, had invited Mark to play poker one evening. —Michelle Johnson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

Contestants include an ex-con, a pastor, a lawyer, a poker player and Naperville’s own, North. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

While some sleep or watch movies, a small group plays poker. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025

Fifteen contestants from various walks of life, including an ex-con, a pro poker player, a camgirl and a pastor are competing for $100,000 over a bunch of different challenges. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

probably modification of French poque, a card game similar to poker

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1534, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1832, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing poker

• draw poker
• poker face
• red-hot poker
• straight poker
• strip poker
• stud poker

Rhymes for poker

• broker
• choker
• coker
• croaker
• joker
• ochre
• smoker
• mediocre
• pawnbroker
• stockbroker

Kids Definition

poker

1 of 2 noun

pok·​er ˈpō-kər 

: one that pokes

especially : a metal rod for stirring a fire

poker

2 of 2 noun

po·​ker ˈpō-kər 

: a card game in which a player bets on the value of his or her hand