What does JOKER mean?

Parts of Speech

Noun, adjective

Definitions

• (n.) a person who tells or plays jokes; a jester.
• (n.) a playing card, typically bearing a picture of a jester, used in some games as a wild card.
• (adj.) used in names of various birds of the crow family with harsh calls, e.g. the European jay.

Pronunciations

• US: /ˈdʒoʊkər/
• UK: /ˈdʒəʊkə/

Origin and Usage

The word "joker" originated in the late 16th century from the word "joke" with the suffix "-er". Its original meaning was "a person who tells jokes". Later, the word "joker" was used to refer to a playing card, typically bearing a picture of a jester, used in some games as a wild card. The adjective form of "joker" is used in names of various birds of the crow family with harsh calls, e.g. the European jay.

Synonyms

• comedian
• humorist
• wit
• trickster
• prankster

Related Words

• clown
• fool
• humor
• mirth
• prank

Example Sentences

• The joker at the party had everyone laughing with his jokes.
• He was holding a pair of kings and a joker.
• They heard the jokers harsh call in the forest.