First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1poke
noun \ˈpōk\
Definition of POKE
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Origin of POKE
Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at pocket
2poke
verb
: to push your finger or something thin or pointed into or at someone or something
: to make (a hole) in something by pushing something sharp or pointed through or into it
: to stick out so that a part can be seen
pokedpok·ing
Full Definition of POKE
transitive verb
1
a (1) : prod, jab <poked him in the ribs> (2) : to urge or stir by prodding or jabbing <poked and scolded by the old folks — Upton Sinclair> (3) : to cause to prod : thrust <poked a stick at the snake> b (1) : pierce, stab (2) : to produce by or as if by piercing, stabbing, or jabbing <poke a hole> <poked holes in his heavily footnoted argument — David Stoll> c (1) : hit, punch <poked him in the nose> (2) : to deliver (a blow) with the fist (3) : to hit (a blooper) in baseball
2
a : to cause to project <poked her head out of the window> b : to make (one's way) by poking <poked his way through the ruins> c : to interpose or interject in a meddlesome manner <asked him not to poke his nose into other people's business>
intransitive verb
1
a : to make a prodding, jabbing, or thrusting movement especially repeatedly b : to strike out at something
2
3
: to move or act slowly or aimlessly <just poked around and didn't accomplish much>
See poke defined for English-language learners
Origin of POKE
Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch poken to poke
First Known Use: 14th century
3poke
noun
Definition of POKE
2
: a projecting brim on the front of a woman's bonnet
3
: a cutting remark : dig
First Known Use of POKE
circa 1796
4poke
noun
Definition of POKE
: pokeweed
Origin of POKE
perhaps modification of Virginia Algonquian pocone, poughkone puccoon
First Known Use: 1708
POKING Defined for Kids
1poke
verb \ˈpōk\
pokedpok·ing
Definition of POKE for Kids
1
: to push something usually thin or sharp into or at <I poked the mud with a stick.>
2
: to make by stabbing or piercing <The pen poked a hole in my bag.>
3
: to thrust or stick out or cause to thrust or stick out <Mom poked her head inside Judy's room again. — Megan McDonald, Judy Moody>
4
: to search through or look around often without purpose <We were poking around in the attic.>
5
: to move slowly or lazily
2poke
noun
Definition of POKE for Kids
: a quick push with something pointed
Learn More About POKE
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