poke

noun (1)

\ ˈpōk

How to pronounce poke (audio)

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Definition of poke

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 chiefly Southern US and Midland US : bag, sack

2a : wallet

b : purse

poke

verb

poked; poking

Definition of poke (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1a(1) : prod, jab poked him in the ribs

(2) : to urge or stir by prodding or jabbing poked and scolded by the old folks— Upton Sinclair

(3) : to cause to prod : thrust poked a stick at the snake

b(1) : pierce, stab

(2) : to produce by or as if by piercing, stabbing, or jabbing poke a hole poked holes in his heavily footnoted argument— David Stoll

c(1) : hit, punch poked him in the nose

(2) : to deliver (a blow) with the fist

(3) : to hit (a blooper) in baseball

2a : to cause to project poked her head out of the window

b : to make (one's way) by poking poked his way through the ruins

c : to interpose or interject in a meddlesome manner asked him not to poke his nose into other people's business

intransitive verb

1a : to make a prodding, jabbing, or thrusting movement especially repeatedly

b : to strike out at something

2a : to look about or through something without system : rummage poking around in the attic

b : meddle

3 : to move or act slowly or aimlessly just poked around and didn't accomplish much

4 : to become stuck out or forward : protrude

poke fun at

: ridicule, mock

poke

noun (2)

Definition of poke (Entry 3 of 5)

1a : a quick thrust : jab

b : a blow with the fist : punch

2 : a projecting brim on the front of a woman's bonnet

3 : a cutting remark : dig

poke

noun (3)

Definition of poke (Entry 4 of 5)

: pokeweed

poke

noun (4)

po·ke | \ ˌpō-ˈkā

How to pronounce poke (audio)

\

variants: or less commonly poké

Definition of poke (Entry 5 of 5)

: a Hawaiian salad made typically from cubed pieces of raw seafood (such as tuna) marinated with soy sauce and sesame oil and mixed with onions or other ingredients While Poke Hut will serve burritos, its specialty is poke bowls. Bases include sushi rice or greens, and from there customers choose a protein like raw or marinated tuna or salmon.— Andy Brownfield

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about poke

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Examples of poke in a Sentence

Verb I accidentally poked my finger right through the old fabric. Throwing pencils is not allowed because someone's eye could get poked out.

First Known Use of poke

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (3)

1708, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1977, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for poke

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at pocket

Verb

Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch poken to poke

Noun (3)

perhaps modification of Virginia Algonquian pocone, poughkone puccoon

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Dictionary Entries near poke

Statistics for poke

Cite this Entry

“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poke. Accessed 10 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for poke

poke

verb

English Language Learners Definition of poke

: to push your finger or something thin or pointed into or at someone or something

: to make (a hole) in something by pushing something sharp or pointed through or into it

: to stick out so that a part can be seen

See the full definition for poke in the English Language Learners Dictionary

poke

verb

\ ˈpōk

\

poked; poking

Kids Definition of poke

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to push something usually thin or sharp into or at I poked the mud with a stick.

2 : to make by stabbing or piercing The pen poked a hole in my bag.

3 : to thrust or stick out or cause to thrust or stick out Mom poked her head inside Judy's room again.— Megan McDonald, Judy Moody

4 : to search through or look around often without purpose We were poking around in the attic.

5 : to move slowly or lazily

poke

noun

Kids Definition of poke (Entry 2 of 2)

: a quick push with something pointed

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