pokey

noun

po·​key ˈpō-kē How to pronounce pokey (audio)
plural pokeys
slang
: jail

Examples of pokey in a Sentence

joked about the time he passed out on the street and woke up in the pokey
Recent Examples on the Web One reason entanglement is exciting is the potential to drive quantum computers that make today's best look pokey by comparison, like so: Quantum computers exploit the inherent uncertainties of quantum physics to perform calculations much faster than computers currently in use. Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019 The Embraceable Bra provides the support of underwire cups without an uncomfortably firm or pokey feeling. Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2023 Dropping the hammer from a stop gets it to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, which opens plenty of opportunities for maneuvering around traffic's pokey dullards. Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 31 May 2023 Sir Paul Smith, one of London’s most respected menswear designers and tailors, started his eponymous label in a pokey shop in Nottingham in 1970 but now has 130 boutiques and counting across the globe. Mario Abad, Robb Report, 26 May 2023 That harks back to the stagecoach or pokey train eras when a governor could be incommunicado for days or weeks. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2023 But the laptop's main problem is its pokey hardware performance. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 15 Mar. 2023 Kia claims a pokey 62-mph acceleration estimate of 9.4 seconds. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 28 Mar. 2023 Modern man dismisses the spiritual as hokey-pokey. Jack Thomas, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pokey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pokey was circa 1919

Dictionary Entries Near pokey

Cite this Entry

“Pokey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pokey. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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