jokes

Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both

pl: jokespast: jokedpp: jokeding: joking

The word carries a lighthearted energy, often serving as a social lubricant to ease tension or build rapport. It implies a shared understanding of absurdity or irony, where the speaker and listener both recognize that the statement is not intended to be taken literally.

Countable when referring to individual humorous stories or puns. Uncountable when referring to the general act of jesting or a state of being ridiculous.

Meanings

Noun

[something]

A thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter.

"He told a few jokes to break the ice."

Transitive Verb

[someone]

To make fun of someone in a playful or mocking way.

"They joked about his obsession with vintage stamps."

Intransitive Verb

[doing]

To speak or write in a humorous or non-serious manner.

"She was only joking when she said she was quitting."

Last Updated: May 27, 2026•Report an Error