joke
Definitions
Something said or done to amuse; an amusing story or remark
笑话；玩笑
A person or thing too absurd or inadequate to be taken seriously
笑柄；荒唐可笑的人或事
To say amusing things; to speak not seriously
开玩笑；说着玩
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedStraight from Latin jocus (a jest, fun), through casual spoken English — no Latin diminutive. The everyday base of the humor family: tell a joke, crack a joke, be joking.
Root jocul still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
Watch the idioms, which stray from 'funny remark': a practical joke is a prank, not a verbal joke; an inside joke is understood only by a small group; 'it's no joke' means something is serious or hard; 'you've got to be joking' expresses disbelief. As a verb, you joke about something or joke with someone.
Example Sentences
- 1.
He told a joke that made the whole room laugh.
- 2.
Don't take it seriously — I was only joking.
- 3.
After three losses, the team became a joke to its fans.
Synonym Comparison
- joke — anything said or done to amuse; the broadest word
- jest — a joke, but old-fashioned/literary; 'in jest' = not seriously
- gag — a comedian's deliberate bit or routine
- prank — a mischievous trick played on someone (≈ practical joke)
- pun — a joke that plays on words with similar sounds