JOKE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • 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

... he who can suggest any thing laughable is a great benefactor to his comrades; for then the monotony is broken, and we enjoy a little sprinkling of variety, which is truly said to be "the spice of life." A good joke, that runs through the command like a bubbling brook along the flowering meadows, is worth more to us than a corps of nurses with ...

— Three Years in the Federal Cavalry • Willard Glazier

... unexpectedly. "If the man isn't making any footprints maybe he isn't breathing, either." He tried to make it a joke, to fight his fear with self-derision. He didn't succeed. Nobody laughed. He swallowed hard and studied the charts again for ...

— Eight Keys to Eden • Mark Irvin Clifton

... "Have just discovered a joke. I was salted on the 'See Saw' property. Our pipe dream is defunct. Have gone over to lay out remains. If you find any oldtimers who have just discovered some lost bonanza, take them into camp. Don't get drunk, get busy. Be back ...

— The Furnace of Gold • Philip Verrill Mighels

... the Greeks. Alone he goes in hot pursuit after the youths, who, in despair over their lord whom they had lost, come running to the duke and tell him weeping of his nephew's death. The duke saw no joke in this affair; and, swearing by God and all His saints that he will take no joy or pride in life so long as the slayer of his nephew remains alive, he adds that whoever will bring him his head will be his friend and will serve him well. Then a knight made boast that if he can ...

— Four Arthurian Romances - "Erec et Enide", "Cliges", "Yvain", and "Lancelot" • Chretien de Troyes

... surely as if she had cut his throat; and the worst of it is that she can't be held legally guilty—morally, yes, guilty as sin; but legally—" He shook his head. "The laws that man makes for mankind are a joke." ...

— A Fool There Was • Porter Emerson Browne

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