dad joke

American  

[dad johk] / ˈdæd ˌdʒoʊk /

noun

Informal.

1. a corny joke or pun suggestive of those made by fathers to their children.

   You don’t have to have kids to tell awful dad jokes.

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Usage

What is a dad joke? The term dad joke is used to refer to a joke that's intentionally corny—the kind of joke that dads are known to tell their kids (or any random person they encounter). In most cases, the punch lines of dad jokes involve a pun or some form of wordplay.

Etymology

Origin of dad joke

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Expect a stunt show finish and plenty of silliness, such as a dad joke or strength contests.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025

It's a skill he underplays, even when he earnestly lobs a corny dad joke at me — "You know what zero said to eight? Nice belt."

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2024

“It’s a dad joke gone horribly right,” said Mason in a recent phone interview.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2023

The joke of a dad joke is not the joke itself—those are only ever groaningly funny, if that—it’s the dad.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2020

Autumn’s father can be cool sometimes, but he’s a walking dad joke.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer