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Definitions

joke

[johk] / dʒoʊk /
NOUN
fun, quip
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antic farce gag humor laugh one-liner parody prank pun stunt trick wisecrack
STRONG
buffoonery burlesque caper caprice chestnut clowning drollery epigram escapade frolic game ha-ha hoodwinking horseplay jape jest lark mischief mummery payoff play pleasantry put on quirk raillery repartee revel sally saw shenanigan sport spree tomfoolery vagary whimsy witticism yarn
WEAK
bon mot monkeyshine shaggy-dog story snow job
Antonyms
STRONGEST
seriousness tragedy
STRONG
work
NOUN
person that is made fun of
Synonyms
STRONGEST
object of ridicule
STRONG
buffoon butt clown fool jackass laughingstock simpleton sport target
WEAK
derision jestee scapegoat
VERB
kid, tease
Synonyms
STRONGEST
banter laugh quip
STRONG
chaff deceive deride fool frolic fun gambol jape jest jive jolly josh mock needle play revel rib ridicule roast spoof sport taunt trick wisecrack
WEAK
horse around kid around make merry play the clown play tricks poke fun pull one's leg put on
Antonyms
STRONG
compliment flatter praise
WEAK
be serious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“As we joke, you get a free home when you move to Florida.”

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Putting their names and faces on clothing is a kitschy, ironic way of showing they are in on the joke, said Niki Norton, founder of Southern Merch and Marketing, a Louisiana consulting firm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

But for every poorly aged joke, there’s a gag or a bit of veiled social commentary that’s surprisingly progressive for its time.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

Getting to the joke first has been a coping mechanism of mine for quite a long time.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

What if all of it turned out to be some elaborate joke?

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova