Joke (noun) refers to something said or done to provoke laughter or amusement, often a humorous story or remark. It can also denote a mild form of jest or prank. In everyday use, a joke is typically crafted to entertain, with timing and delivery playing a key role in how funny it lands.
"He told a joke at the party and had everyone laughing."
"That movie was a joke; the special effects were awful."
"I didn’t mean it as a joke, but his comment felt cruel."
"We spent the afternoon trading jokes to pass the time."
Joke originates from the Middle English word joke meaning a light, diverting matter or sport. Its earliest senses referred to a story or quip meant to amuse, often with a point or sting. The root is unclear but is thought to derive from old terms for “jest” or “playful speech,” possibly linked to Germanic or Dutch sources that conveyed spontaneous, humorous utterances. Over the centuries, joke evolved from a simple witty remark to a broader category of humor forms, including jokes with punchlines, practical jokes, and social banter. The word’s semantic scope expanded with the rise of print culture and stand-up traditions, solidifying its modern sense of a crafted humorous line or narrative intended to provoke laughter. The shift from a mere playful expression to a defined humorous artifact is especially evident in the 18th–19th centuries, when published jokes, joke books, and comedic performances popularized the format beyond casual banter. First known use in its modern sense appears in early modern English literature, with records of witty anecdotes and short stories labeled as jokes shaping the contemporary definition of a humorous utterance.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Joke" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Joke"
-oke sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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US: /dʒoʊk/; UK/AU: /dʒəʊk/. The initial sound is the affricate dʒ as in 'judge', followed by a long vowel /oʊ/ and a final /k/. In rapid speech, you can reduce the vowel slightly, but keep the closing /k/ crisp. Practice with a smooth glide from /dʒ/ to /oʊ/ against a short burst of air for accuracy.
Common errors include mispronouncing the initial /dʒ/ as a plain /j/ (like 'youk') and shortening the vowel to a lax /o/ or /ɒ/ in non-rhotic accents. Another frequent slip is dropping the final /k/ in fast speech, giving 'jow' or 'joke' with a silent end. Correct by ensuring the /dʒ/ starts with a light tongue contact, preserve the long /oʊ/ vowel, and release the /k/ with a quick stop of air.
US English typically yields /dʒoʊk/ with a clear /oʊ/ vowel and rhotic r-coloration is not involved here. UK/AU often realize the vowel as /əʊ/ or a closer /əʊ/ (rhoticity varies by regional speech), producing /dʒəʊk/. In rapid speech, the US may retain a more prominent diphthong while some UK variants lean toward a purer /əʊ/. The key is the /dʒ/ onset and /k/ final, with subtle vowel shifts.
The challenge lies in the precise /dʒ/ onset and the long vowel /oʊ/ before a hard /k/. Many speakers tilt the tongue too high or drop the final /k/ in casual speech, producing 'jo' or 'joke' without the stop. Additionally, non-rhotic speakers may voice the vowel slightly differently, risking a lighter glide. Focus on a solid dʒ onset, a stable diphthong, and a crisp /k/ release.
Is the vowel in 'joke' more /oʊ/ or /oː/ across dialects, and how does that affect the mouth shape? In most varieties, the target is a closing diphthong /oʊ/ target, starting with an open-mid rounded vowel then gliding to close-mid high back position. Your lips round initially and then relax slightly as the tongue glides. Tracking this glide helps align with listeners’ expectations and reduces mispronunciation of the ending /k/.
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