poker face

American  

noun

1. an expressionless face.

   He can tell a funny story with a poker face.

2. 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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poker face British  

noun

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

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poker face Idioms  

1. 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]

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Other Word Forms

• poker-faced adjective

Etymology

Origin of poker face

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Cahillane, a 6-foot-tall marathoner who sports a shock of white hair and a practiced poker face, was a seasoned food executive, fresh off the successful breakup of another food company: Kellogg.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Videos and memes of Stephen's somewhat unconvincing poker face have gone viral, with clips of his dramatic facial expressions also being widely shared.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

“And I’m just sitting there trying to keep a poker face: ‘Oh, OK, tell me more.’”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

In what appears to be a homage to Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," she strides into her cell with a commanding presence and a possibly suspicious agenda—despite her impeccable poker face.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2025

“You sit before us with no expression, keeping a poker face through—” “Objection!” cut in Nels Gudmundsson, but Judge Lew Fielding was already sitting upright and looking sternly at Alvin.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson