juke

¹ American  

[jook] / dʒuk /

verb (used with object)

juked, juking

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

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noun

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

juke ² American  

[jook] / dʒuk /

noun

1. jukebox.

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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."

Example Sentences

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 film unfolds during the opening of a Mississippi juke joint in 1932.

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

Michael B Jordan is nominated for best actor for playing twin brothers who return home to Mississippi in the 1930s to set up a juke joint, which is set upon by blood-sucking vampires.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

He grabs me and Cocoa and hurries us outta the juke joint.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• ditch
• duck
• elude
• escape
• evade
• fend off
• shuffle
• sidestep
• skirt