joker

American  

[joh-ker] / ˈdʒoʊ kər /

noun

1. a person who jokes.

2. one of two extra playing cards in a pack, usually imprinted with the figure of a jester, used in some games as the highest card or as a wild card.

3. U.S. Politics. a clause or expression inserted in a legislative bill with the unavowed object of defeating the ostensible purpose of the bill if passed.

4. a seemingly minor, unsuspected clause or wording that is put into an agreement, legal document, etc., to change its effect.

5. an unexpected or final fact, factor, or condition that changes or reverses a situation or result completely.

   He gave her a beautiful diamond engagement ring, but the joker was that it was stolen!

6. any method, trick, or expedient for getting the better of another.

   They pulled a joker on us to get better seats.

7. Informal. a man; fellow; chap.

   That joker is earning twice as much as I am.

8. a person who thinks they are very funny; prankster.

   Who's the joker who frosted the cake with shaving cream?

9. Informal. a wise guy; wiseacre; smart aleck.

   Tell that joker to stop using my parking space.

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joker British  

/ ˈdʒəʊkə /

noun

1. a person who jokes, esp in an obnoxious manner

2. slang a person

   who does that joker think he is?

3. an extra playing card in a pack, which in many card games can substitute for or rank above any other card

4. a clause or phrase inserted in a legislative bill in order to make the bill inoperative or to alter its apparent effect

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Etymology

Origin of joker

First recorded in 1720–30; joke + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The wild-card series is a joker compared to the waiting full house.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2025

Card game Balatro encourages players to build poker hands but allows them to modify decks and use special joker cards to boost their scores.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2025

Players create poker hands to score points, but the magic comes from its 150 joker cards which modify the rules and multiply scores in different ways.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2024

"Bhim loved to laugh. He was always very happy and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile."

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

Not a theoretical joker, like me, but a practical one, which means he actually carried out his jokes.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd