pokes; poked; poking
1
a
: to push your finger or something thin or pointed into or at someone or something
He poked a stick at the snake. = He poked the snake with a stick.
He poked [=jabbed] me in the ribs.
I accidentally poked my finger right through the old fabric.
Throwing pencils is not allowed because someone's eye could get poked out.
—often + atShe poked at the sand with her toes.
b
: to make (a hole) in something by pushing something sharp or pointed through or into it
—usually + in
As a practical joke, she poked holes in the bottom of some of the paper cups.
He used a fork to poke holes in the potatoes.
2
: to stick out so that a part can be seen
—often + out
Your toe is poking out through the hole in your sock.
—often + throughYou can see the seedlings beginning to poke through the soil.
After days of rain, sunshine finally poked through the clouds.
—often + outShe poked her head out the window and yelled down to us.
plural pokes
1
: a quick push with your finger or with something thin or pointed
—usually singular
She gave my arm a quick poke [=jab] to tell me it was my turn.
2
US, informal
: a usually minor criticism or insult that is directed toward a particular person or group
—usually singular
She thanked everyone in her speech but she couldn't resist taking a poke at the people who said the movie would never succeed.
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/poke. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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