First Known Use: 1670
Dictionary
1joke
noun \ˈjōk\
: something said or done to cause laughter
: a brief story with a surprising and funny ending
: someone or something that is not worth taking seriously
Full Definition of JOKE
1
a : something said or done to provoke laughter; especially : a brief oral narrative with a climactic humorous twist b (1) : the humorous or ridiculous element in something (2) : an instance of jesting : kidding <can't take a joke> c : practical joke d : laughingstock
2
: something not to be taken seriously : a trifling matter <consider his skiing a joke — Harold Callender> —often used in negative constructions <it is no joke to be lost in the desert>
See joke defined for English-language learners
See joke defined for kids
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Origin of JOKE
Latin jocus; perhaps akin to Old High German gehan to say, Sanskrit yācati he asks
Related to JOKE
2joke
verb
: to say things that are meant to cause laughter : to make jokes about someone or something
jokedjok·ing
Full Definition of JOKE
intransitive verb
transitive verb
: to make the object of a joke : kid
— jok·ing·ly \ˈjō-kiŋ-lē\ adverb
See joke defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of JOKE
1670
JOKING Defined for Kids
1joke
noun \ˈjōk\
Definition of JOKE for Kids
1
: something said or done to cause laughter or amusement <They hid his shoes as a joke.>
2
: a very short story with a funny ending that is a surprise <The boys sat around telling jokes.>
3
: something not worthy of being taken seriously <Her excuse was a joke.>
2joke
verb
jokedjok·ing
Definition of JOKE for Kids
1
: to say or do something to cause laughter or amusement
2
: to make funny remarks <The children joked about my cooking.>
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