poker face

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See synonyms for: poker face / poker-faced / pokerfaced on Thesaurus.com

noun

an expressionless face: He can tell a funny story with a poker face.

a person who has or deliberately assumes a poker face: It is impossible to tell what that poker face is really thinking.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of poker face

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

OTHER WORDS FROM poker face

poker-faced, adjective

Words nearby poker face

pokelogan, Pokémon, poke one's nose into, poker, poker dice, poker face, poker-faced, poker machine, pokerwork, pokeweed, pokey

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use poker face in a sentence

And Melinda May (played by Ming-Na Wen, the best-known actor besides Gregg) was all poker face.
How ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Finally Found Its Way|Jason Lynch|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The magnificent Rampling has the gravitas and the poker face necessary to pull off the mysterious role.
‘Dexter’ Season 8: The Serial-Killer Drama Still Has a Few Twists Left|Jason Lynch|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“He put on his poker face,” said Yehia el-Gammal, a Cairo activist, shortly after the speech concluded.
Morsi Loses Support as Protests Rage in Cairo|Mike Giglio|December 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Her first international hit came in 2009 with Just Dance, followed by Poker Face.
Meet Lady Gaga’s Mama, Cynthia Germanotta|Abigail Pesta|February 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Work your poker face and draft your solo plans, securing your base by taking stock of assets and allies.
Stars Predict Your Week|Starsky + Cox|October 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They all had the beat look of compulsive gamblers, fogged over by their individual attempts at a poker face.
Card Trick|Walter Bupp AKA Randall Garrett
"Jest born that way, I reckon," remarked Poker-face in a tone of pity; and then the whole outfit broke into a whoop of laughter.
Bat Wing Bowles|Dane Coolidge
First he looked into the eyes of Poker Face the Baboon and saw something faraway.
Rootabaga Stories|Carl Sandburg
He closed it quickly, glanced across at the banker, saw equal bewilderment on that usually poker-face.
Reel Life Films|Samuel Kimball Merwin
"No," Poker Face answered, to a sharp question from the persistent Carson.
Judith of Blue Lake Ranch|Jackson Gregory

British Dictionary definitions for poker face

poker face

noun

informal a face without expression, as that of a poker player attempting to conceal the value of his cards

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with poker face

poker face

A visage lacking any expression that can be interpreted, as in Whenever Betty attended one of her children's performances, she managed to keep a poker face. This term alludes to the facial expression of a poker player who is expert at concealing his feelings about his hand. [c. 1880]

poker face

Origin of poker face

OTHER WORDS FROM poker face

Words nearby poker face

Words related to poker face

How to use poker face in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for poker face

Other Idioms and Phrases with poker face