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Showing results for juke. Search instead for juked.
Synonyms

juke

1 American  
[jook] / dʒuk /

verb (used with object)

juked, juking

  1. to make a move intended to deceive (an opponent).

noun

  1. a fake or feint, usually intended to deceive a defensive player.

juke 2 American  
[jook] / dʒuk /

noun

  1. jukebox.

Etymology

Origin of juke1

Spelling variant of jouk

Origin of juke2

By shortening

Explanation

Use the word juke when you talk about a little roadside bar where you can dance to jukebox music or a live band. Another word for a juke is a "roadhouse." If you visit a rowdy rural bar with dancing and beer, you can call it a juke. Many country and blues bands got their start playing at jukes in the south, although some jukes offer jukeboxes as their only music. You can also call it a "juke joint." The word juke comes from the Southern United States Creole known as Gullah — in which juke or joog means "wicked" or "disorderly."

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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.

Walking through the exhibition, specially-programmed headsets react to the environment - creating a personalised DJ Mix as the music evolves from juke joints and jazz clubs to reggae nights, carnival and pirate radio.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

The newbie nominee won the trophy out of the gate for his portrayal of twins Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler’s juke joint-and-vampires movie “Sinners.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

They appeared on panels moderated by celebrity boosters such as Austin Butler and Denzel Washington, and mingled at a Los Angeles supper club that got turned into the juke joint from the movie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

The “Sinners” star won the Actor Award for lead actor for portraying the film’s twin ex-mob enforcers turned juke joint owners, Smoke and Stack.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

“My girl Sadie must’ve used that Aziza strength on them. Probably tossed one clean across the juke joint. Folks always underestimate Azizas.”

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

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.