JOKE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Joke

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/dʒoʊk/ Listen

noun

Joke n.

Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive (commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a witticism; as, to crack good-natured jokes. "And gentle dullness ever loves a joke." "Or witty joke our airy senses moves To pleasant laughter."

Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport. "Inclose whole downs in walls, 't is all a joke."

In joke, in jest; sportively; not meant seriously.

Practical joke. See under Practical.

verb

Joke v. t. (past & past part. joked; pres. part. joking) To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to joke a comrade.

Joke v. i. To do something for sport, or as a joke; to be merry in words or actions; to jest. "He laughed, shouted, joked, and swore."

Synonyms: To jest; sport; rally; banter. See Jest.

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Etymology of 'Joke'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Joke" Quotes from Famous Books

... who were present reflected, and they recalled to mind the long conversations with this man who would almost compel them to stop at the road corners to listen to his ideas, who insisted on their going into his house when they were passing by his garden, who could crack a joke better than the lieutenant of the gendarmes himself, and who possessed such contagious gaiety that, in spite of the repugnance with which he inspired them, they could not keep from always laughing ...

— Maupassant Original Short Stories (180), Complete • Guy de Maupassant

... Wouldn't think as I was 'is brother, would yer—not to look at me? But strooth, I am; an' wot's more, 'e cawn't deny it! . . . [He labours with a little joke.] There's a lot o' brothers knockin' abaht as people don't know on, eh what? See wot I mean? [Suddenly serious.] Not as I'm one o' them sort, mind yer: my father married my mother honest, same as I married my little ...

— The Servant in the House • Charles Rann Kennedy

... calling to order, recovered his command of countenance, and, by the time the tumult had subsided into the less noisy expressions of mirth, he was smiling as gayly as the rest, and affecting to consider the remarks of the stammering humorist as merely a pleasant joke. ...

— The Rangers - [Subtitle: The Tory's Daughter] • D. P. Thompson

... to come to him and be a finger-post to him for life! What was he to say to her? It was clear that he must say something. As at this moment she was sobbing violently, he could not pass the offer by as a joke. Women will say that his answer should have been very simple, and his escape very easy. But men will understand that it is not easy to reject even a Miss Demolines when she offers herself for matrimony. And, moreover,—as Johnny bethought himself at this crisis of his fate,—Lady Demolines was ...

— The Last Chronicle of Barset • Anthony Trollope

... enjoyed it," said Jessie, icily, though there was a twinkle in her eye. "Not having a mirror, I'm afraid I can't join in the joke." ...

— Lucile Triumphant • Elizabeth M. Duffield

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