26984 words

jokes

7 definitions • 19 examples
1
something, such as a funny story or trick, that is said or done in order to make people laugh:

Examples:

Did I tell you the joke about the chicken crossing the road?
She spent the evening cracking (= telling) jokes and telling funny stories.
She tied his shoelaces together for a joke.
I hope Rob doesn't tell any of his dirty jokes (= jokes about sex) when my mother's here.
He tried to do a comedy routine, but all his jokes fell flat (= no one laughed at them).
Don't you get (= understand) the joke?
2
a person or thing that is very bad or silly:

Examples:

Our new teacher's a joke - he can't even control the class.
The new software is a complete joke - it keeps crashing.
The test was a joke (= was very easy) - everyone finished in less than an hour.
3
to say funny things:

Examples:

They joked and laughed as they looked at the photos.
It's more serious than you think, so please don't joke about it.
[ + speech ] "I didn't expect to be out so soon", he joked, after spending nine months in hospital.
4
If you think that someone is joking, you think that they do not really mean what they say:

Examples:

I thought he was joking when he said Helen was pregnant, but she really is.
She wasn't joking (= she was serious) when she said she was going to move out of the house.
5
something, such as an amusing story or trick, that is said or done in order to make people laugh:

Examples:

He told a joke about a farmer and a lawyer that made Nicholas burst into laughter.
6
something considered to be so bad or worthless that it is ridiculous:

Examples:

The playing conditions on the muddy field were a joke.
The midterm exam was a joke (= too easy).
7
to say things in an amusing or playful manner:

Examples:

[ I ] He joked about how I was always cleaning.
[ + that clause ] They’ve always joked that the place is so wet, the bullfrogs have to sit on the fences.

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