WordGarden.iojoker
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dʒˈəʊkə/
US
- /ˈdʒoʊkər/
Meanings
Noun
a person who often tells jokes or plays around
a special playing card, often used as a wild card
a mildly insulting term for an annoying, foolish, or contemptible person
More meaningsFewer meanings
an unpredictable person or factor that can change a situation
Proper-noun
the name of a fictional villain, especially in Batman stories
Beyond the definition
A joker is often someone who jokes around, plays pranks, or acts like the class clown. The word can be friendly when you mean a playful person who makes people laugh, but it can also sound negative when you mean someone silly, annoying, or not serious enough. In card games, a joker is also a special wild card that can stand for other cards. So the meaning depends a lot on the situation.
The word "joker" has several related meanings, and the tone depends on context. Most often, it describes a person who jokes around, plays tricks, or likes making other people laugh. In this sense, it can be warm and friendly, like talking about a class clown or a playful friend who is always trying to get a reaction. "Don't be such a joker!" might be said with a smile to someone who is being teasing or silly.
But the word is not always positive. Sometimes "joker" means someone who is foolish, irritating, or not behaving seriously when they should. For example, if someone says, "Some joker parked right across my driveway," they do not mean a funny person in a good way. They mean an inconsiderate or annoying person. In that kind of sentence, the word can be close to "idiot" or "nuisance," though usually in a milder, more conversational way.
The word also has a very common meaning in card games. A joker is a special card, often used as a wild card, that can take the place of another card in some games. Because of that, the word can suggest unpredictability or a special role. In popular culture, many people also connect the word with the Batman villain The Joker, but that is a named character rather than the main everyday meaning. Overall, "joker" can refer to a playful person, an annoying or foolish person, or a special card in a deck.
Examples
- 1
Office humor
Dan is the joker in our office; he can make anyone laugh.
- 2
Not serious
Stop being such a joker and answer the question.
- 3
Tricks
My brother is a practical joker, so nobody trusts him on April Fools' Day.
- Phrasea practical joker
someone who plays tricks on people
- 4
Annoyance
Some joker blocked the entrance with his car.
- Phrasesome joker
an annoying person you do not know
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Playing card
I pulled the joker from the deck and won the game.
- 6
Card games
In this version of the game, jokers can stand for any card.
- 7
Unexpected factor
Bad weather could be the joker in the pack this weekend.
- Phrasethe joker in the pack
the unexpected thing that may change what happens
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- jokernoun
Forms
- jokerspluralnoun