joke jōk/ noun noun: joke; plural noun: jokes 1. a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, esp. a story with a funny punchline. "she was in a mood to tell jokes" synonyms: funny story, jest, witticism, quip; More pun, play on words; informalgag, wisecrack, crack, one-liner, rib-tickler, knee-slapper, thigh-slapper, punch-line, groaner "they were telling jokes" a trick played on someone for fun. synonyms: trick, practical joke, prank, lark, stunt, hoax, jape; More informalspoof "playing stupid jokes" informal a person or thing that is ridiculously inadequate. "the transportation system is a joke" synonyms: laughingstock, object of ridicule, stooge, butt; More informalAunt Sally "he soon became a joke to us" farce, travesty, waste of time "the present system is a joke" verb verb: joke; 3rd person present: jokes; past tense: joked; past participle: joked; gerund or present participle: joking 1. make jokes; talk humorously or flippantly. "she could laugh and joke with her colleagues" synonyms: tell jokes, crack jokes; More jest, banter, quip; informalwisecrack, josh "she laughed and joked with the guests" fool, fool around, play a trick, play a practical joke, tease; informalkid, fun, pull (someone's leg), pull/jerk/yank someone's chain, make a monkey out of someone, put someone on "they didn't realize you were only joking" archaic poke fun at. "he was pretending to joke his daughter"