Your ShelfYour Projects
Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Joke

Jōke, n.

noun

n. [Lat. jocus, whence Pg. jōgo, Sp. jŭego, It. giōco, giuoco, Pr. joc, juoc, Fr. jeu, game, sport, jest.]

Sense 1. Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive; a jest; a witticism.

And gentle dullness ever loves a joke. Pope.

Or witty joke our airy senses moves To pleasant laughter. Gay.

Sense 2. What is not in earnest, or actually meant.

Inclose whole downs in walls, ’tis all a joke! Pope.

In joke, in jest; for the sake of raising a laugh; not in earnest.—Practical joke. See PRACTICAL.

Jōke, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. JOKED (jōkt); p. pr. & vb. n. JOKING.] To make merry with; to cast jokes at; to rally; to banter.

Jōke, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [Lat. jocari.] To do something for sport, or to make sport; to be merry in words or actions; to jest.

Synonyms—To jest; sport; rally. See JEST.