joke
Americannoun
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something said or done to provoke laughter or cause amusement, as a witticism, a short and amusing anecdote, or a prankish act.
He tells very funny jokes. She played a joke on him.
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something that is amusing or ridiculous, especially because of being ludicrously inadequate or a sham; a thing, situation, or person laughed at rather than taken seriously; farce.
Their pretense of generosity is a joke. An officer with no ability to command is a joke.
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a matter that need not be taken very seriously; trifling matter.
The loss was no joke.
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something that does not present the expected challenge; something very easy.
The test was a joke for the whole class.
verb (used without object)
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to speak or act in a playful or merry way.
He was always joking with us.
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to say something in fun or teasing rather than in earnest; be facetious.
He didn't really mean it, he was only joking.
verb (used with object)
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to subject to jokes; make fun of; tease.
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to obtain by joking.
The comedian joked coins from the audience.
noun
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a humorous anecdote
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something that is said or done for fun; prank
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a ridiculous or humorous circumstance
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a person or thing inspiring ridicule or amusement; butt
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a matter to be joked about or ignored
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seriously: said to recall a discussion to seriousness after there has been joking
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something very serious
verb
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(intr) to tell jokes
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(intr) to speak or act facetiously or in fun
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to make fun of (someone); tease; kid
Synonym Usage
Joke, jest refer to something said (or done) in sport, or to cause amusement. A joke is something said or done for the sake of exciting laughter; it may be raillery, a witty remark, or a prank or trick: to tell a joke. Jest, today a more formal word, nearly always refers to joking language and is more suggestive of scoffing or ridicule than is joke : to speak in jest.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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half-jokingadjective
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jokelessadjective
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unjokingadjective
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half-jokinglyadverb
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jokinglyadverb
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unjokinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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jokesimple
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jokessimple
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have jokedperfect
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has jokedperfect
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am jokingprogressive
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are jokingprogressive
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is jokingprogressive
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have been jokingperfect progressive
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has been jokingperfect progressive
Past
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jokedsimple
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had jokedperfect
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was jokingprogressive
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were jokingprogressive
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had been jokingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of joke
First recorded in 1660–70, joke is from the Latin word jocus “jest”
Explanation
A joke is a funny story or line that's meant to make people laugh. When you're good at telling jokes, you're the life of the party (and you're probably not telling knock-knock jokes). Many jokes have a "punch line," the part that either makes your listeners guffaw or groan, depending on how funny it is. The rest of the joke leads up to this climax. Another kind of joke is the "practical" sort, a prank, gag, or trick you play on someone. In the 1660s the word was spelled joque and was considered slang. It comes from the Latin root iocus, "joke, sport, or pastime."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Nevertheless, Stuart and Bert set off to Caltech, with a Thomas Bros. guide — a little joke for the locals.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
The book’s title is a wry joke — “Yellow Pine” is not a forest, not a tree.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
My imaginary scenario could still be decades in the future, but a reality where people pay for air doesn’t seem like a joke anymore.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
What started as an offhand joke at a London pub has sparked a “herculean effort.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
Years ago, Dad bought me one as a joke, and now it’s tradition.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
After "Saving Private Ryan," "The Martian" and "Interstellar," many jokes have also been made about Damon once again starring in a film in which his character struggles to get home.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
It isn’t as if she doesn’t have several plans B. And it gives “Techniquely” a winningly informal bouquet, especially when the jokes fall flat and she collapses, mock-groaning, on the cutting board.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The pair shared a light-hearted face-off, exchanging jokes before embracing in a hug to bring the news conference to a close.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Poop jokes and memes aside, cyclosporiasis is a serious parasitic foodborne intestinal illness whose symptoms include nausea, fatigue, and explosive diarrhea that can last weeks or even months without antibiotic treatment.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Sometimes their friends and family decided whose jokes were funniest, and that person was the winner.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
Kennedy also offered an appetizer made from raccoon roadkill, Trump joked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
An assistant coach joked that they might’ve finally found a weakness in Wallace’s game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
Others joked that you could “simply sell the coin flip to a hedge fund for $400,000.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
"For all those people in Northern Ireland, I say blame it on Jimmy and blame it on Liam, it's their fault," he joked.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Now, of course, Mama doesn’t look like she’s ever joked in her life.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
In his remarks, Trump was cordial and conciliatory, saying "the second time is always better", joking and praising the media - saying he respects "most of them".
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
For residents, there’s panic as to what, if any, recourse they may have at this late stage, with one man joking he may forever have to blast loud music all day to mask rider screams.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Starmer was also relaxed, joking with his political foes.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
Following the convincing 3-0 victory over Czechia while resting some starters, the atmosphere on the Mexican team has been very relaxed, with several videos showing the players joking around with each other.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
I know Mom had been joking in our backyard, but that’s how I would have imagined them in the end—lying side by side in our garden bed together.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
