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joke

joke

 
 
pronunciation:
jok
parts of speech:
noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word History, Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a short fictional story told to provoke laughter, esp. in reaction to the ending.
The speaker told a few jokes before moving on to address more serious topics.
similar words:
gag, jape, jest, josh, quip, shaggy dog story, story
definition 2: someone or something that is trifling or not worth one's worry or concern.
The supervisor is a joke--the employees can get away with anything.Sexual harassment is no joke.
similar words:
jest, laugh, laughingstock
definition 3: something that is exceptionally easy.
That exam was a joke--I finished it in ten minutes!
synonyms:
breeze, cinch, picnic
similar words:
child's play, jest, laugh
definition 4: anything intended to be funny or a source of amusement.
Knowing he always put sugar in his coffee, they filled the sugar bowl with salt for a joke.
similar words:
gag, jape, jest, josh, laugh, quip, sally, witticism
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: jokes, joking, joked
definition 1: to talk or act so as to provoke laughter; jest.
The doctor jokes a lot, and it helps her patients relax.Those two are very funny when they're joking with each other.We really shouldn't joke about her illness.
synonyms:
jape, kid
similar words:
clown, fool, gag, jest, josh, quip
definition 2: to say something for effect or amusement without meaning what one is saying.
I was joking when I said I was quitting, but everybody took me seriously.The governor joked that her fiery opponent should take up a calming hobby like knitting.[verb + (that) + clause ] He joked that he was going to paint the living room purple.[verb + (that) + clause ]
similar words:
fool, gag, jape, josh, kid
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition: to make fun of; mock.
synonyms:
jape, kid, mock
similar words:
jest, josh, make fun of, rib, ridicule, tease
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: jokingly (adv.)
Word History
Joke is from a Latin word that originally meant "a game of words."