JOKE

antic, joke, prank, trick, caper, put-on

(noun) a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement

jest, joke, jocularity

(noun) activity characterized by good humor

joke

(noun) a triviality not to be taken seriously; “I regarded his campaign for mayor as a joke”

joke, gag, laugh, jest, jape

(noun) a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter; “he told a very funny joke”; “he knows a million gags”; “thanks for the laugh”; “he laughed unpleasantly at his own jest”; “even a schoolboy’s jape is supposed to have some ascertainable point”

joke, jest

(verb) act in a funny or teasing way

joke, jest

(verb) tell a joke; speak humorously; “He often jokes even when he appears serious”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

joke (plural jokes)

An amusing story.

Something said or done for amusement, not in seriousness.

(figuratively) The root cause or main issue, especially an unexpected one

(figuratively) A laughably worthless thing or person; a sham.

Usage notes

• Adjectives often applied to "joke": old, bad, inside, poor, silly, funny, lame, hilarious, stupid, offensive.

Synonyms

• See also joke

Coordinate terms

• comedy

• limerick

• parody

• pun

Verb

joke (third-person singular simple present jokes, present participle joking, simple past and past participle joked)

(intransitive) To do or say something for amusement rather than seriously.

(intransitive, followed by with) To dupe in a friendly manner for amusement; to mess with, play with.

(transitive, dated) To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally.

Anagrams

• ojek

Source: Wiktionary

Joke, n. Etym: [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. See under Practical.

Joke, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Joked; p. pr. & vb. n. Joking.]

Definition: To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to joke a comrade.

Joke, v. i. Etym: [L. jocari.]

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition