[acgreen]

joke (jk)
n.
Something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement, especially an amusing story with a punch line.
A mischievous trick; a prank.
An amusing or ludicrous incident or situation.
Informal.
Something not to be taken seriously; a triviality: The accident was no joke.
An object of amusement or laughter; a laughingstock: His loud tie was the joke of the office.

v. joked, jok·ing, jokes
v. intr.
To tell or play jokes; jest.
To speak in fun; be facetious.

v. tr.
To make fun of; tease.


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[Latin iocus. See yek- in Indo-European Roots.]
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joking·ly adv.
Synonyms: joke, jest, witticism, quip, sally, crack, wisecrack, gag
These nouns refer to something that is said or done in order to evoke laughter or amusement. Joke especially denotes an amusing story with a punch line at the end: told jokes at the party. Jest suggests frolicsome humor: amusing jests that defused the tense situation. A witticism is a witty, usually cleverly phrased remark: a speech full of witticisms. A quip is a clever, pointed, often sarcastic remark: responded to the tough questions with quips. Sally denotes a sudden quick witticism: ended the debate with a brilliant sally. Crack and wisecrack refer less formally to flippant or sarcastic retorts: made a crack about my driving ability; punished for making wisecracks in class. Gag is principally applicable to a broadly comic remark or to comic by-play in a theatrical routine: one of the most memorable gags in the history of vaudeville.

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joke Joke, n. [L. jocus. Cf Jeopardy, Jocular, Juggler.] 1. 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. --Pope.

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

2. Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport.

Inclose whole downs in walls, 't is all a joke. --Pope.

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

Practical joke.

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joke Joke, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Joked; p. pr. & vb. n. Joking.] To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to joke a comrade.


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joke Joke, v. i. [L. jocari.] To do something for sport, or as a joke; to be merry in words or actions; to jest.

He laughed, shouted, joked, and swore. --Macaulay.

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


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joke n 1: a humorous anecdote or remark [syn: gag, laugh, jest, jape, yak, wheeze] 2: activity characterized by good humor [syn: jest, jocularity] 3: a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement [syn: antic, prank, trick, caper] v 1: tell a joke; speak humorously; "He often jokes even when he appears serious" [syn: jest] 2: act in a funny or teasing way [syn: jest]