jake
1 Americanadjective
noun
-
a homemade or bootleg liquor made from or infused with Jamaica ginger, especially during Prohibition in the U.S.
-
Also called jake-leg paralysis. Also called jake leg;. paralysis caused by drinking this or other liquor made with denatured alcohol.
noun
adjective
-
satisfactory; all right
-
everything is under control
Etymology
Origin of jake1
First recorded in 1895–1900; origin uncertain
Origin of jake2
1925–30, apparently alteration of Jamaica (ginger) ( def. )
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:
In their place appeared the generic landscape of an American highway exit: service stations and highway signs, motels and mobile homes, the staccato of jake brakes on eighteen-wheelers.
From New York Times ● May 27, 2021
His first name was John or jake or something.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 8, 2016
As the old Ira Gershwin lyric put it: Comes the revolution, all is jake / Comes the revolution, we'll be eating cake.
From Chicago Tribune ● Nov. 19, 2014
Scarlett puts her right hand on jake face.Scarlett: “don’t cry it’s going to over I promised you will be fine, close your eyes and takes a dream with pretty girl”.http://azmalhome.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/no-chance-in-world-of-get-enough-what-want/
From Time ● May 3, 2013
“You only need that high school degree if you’re striking for college. I’m doing absolutely jake without it.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
![]()
Not his childhood pal and Scotland team-mate Jake Wightman.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
The Riverside Juvenile Court subsequently terminated Jake and Vanessa’s parental rights to their three children.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
Jake Paul’s combat-sports company Most Valuable Promotions is merging with the Professional Fighters League, aiming to take on the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
BuzzBallz was founded by teacher Merrilee Kick, but was bought by the Sazerac Company, whose CEO is Jake Wenz, in 2024.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
And seventh grader Jake McQuade wasn’t big on “learning stuff.”
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
![]()
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.