What is joke? Pronunciation and usage in English

joke means . Learn how to pronounce and use joke through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of joke

jokenoun/verb

/dʒəʊk/
Definition & pronunciation of joke

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "joke" in English. Here's a breakdown:

  • "Jo": This part is pronounced like "Joe" – as in, the name Joe. It's a short, clear vowel sound.

  • "ke": This is where it can trip people up. It's pronounced like "k" followed by a short "eh" sound (like in "bed"). It's not like "gawk."

Putting it together:

The whole word is pronounced: "Joe-keh" (with a short "e" sound in "keh")

Here's a helpful breakdown with audio:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/joke/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce joke" on Google and you'll find audio pronunciations.

Tips to remember:

  • Think of "Joe-keh" as the building blocks.
  • Don't overemphasize the "e" sound in "keh". It should be soft.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using the word "joke"?
  • Help you with another word pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word joke in English

Let's break down how to use the word "joke" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its various uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (the thing itself):

  • Definition: A joke is a short, humorous story or statement intended to make people laugh.
  • Examples:
    • “Tell me a joke!” (Asking for a specific humorous anecdote.)
    • “That was a really funny joke!” (Describing a humorous story.)
    • “I have a joke about a scarecrow…” (Introducing a humorous story.)
    • “He told a terrible joke.” (Describing a joke that wasn’t funny.)

2. As a Verb (to tell a joke):

  • Definition: To tell a joke to someone.
  • Examples:
    • “He jokes around a lot.” (He frequently tells joking remarks.)
    • “She joked that she was a mermaid.” (She made a humorous, playful statement.)
    • "Let's joke around a bit before we start working.” (Let’s tell some lighthearted things.)

3. Phrases Using “Joke”

  • “Just kidding!”/ "I'm joking!": This indicates you didn't mean what you said seriously. It's a way of retracting a statement and adding a playful element.
    • “I said you shouldn’t eat the cake! Just kidding!”
  • “Joke around”: Means to tell lighthearted stories, be playful, or avoid serious matters.
    • "Don't joke around so much, we need to finish this project."
  • “A joke is on…”: Means someone is being tricked or fooled.
    • "A joke is on you – you forgot your keys!"
  • "That's a joke!": Often used to express disbelief or to indicate something isn't really funny. It can also be used sarcastically.
    • "He said he was going to donate to charity. That's a joke!" (Meaning he probably isn’t.)

4. Figurative Use (Less common, but important to know):

  • “Joke” as in “a silly or meaningless act”: Sometimes "joke" is used to describe something that’s frivolous or pointless.
    • “It’s a joke to spend that much money on a new car.” (Meaning it’s wasteful and ridiculous.)

Tips for Using “Joke” Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of “joke” can change depending on how it's used.
  • Tone matters: “Joke” can be used playfully, sarcastically, or to express disapproval.
  • Variety: Don’t just use “joke” in every situation. Consider using phrases like “humorous story,” “funny anecdote,” or “lighthearted remark” for more nuance.

Resources for More Examples and Practice:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some specific examples of how "joke" is used in different contexts (e.g., in a conversation, in writing)?
  • Help you practice using the word in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word joke

Idioms of the word joke

be/get beyond a joke
to become annoying and no longer acceptable
  • His teasing is getting beyond a joke.
be no joke
to be difficult or unpleasant
  • It's no joke trying to find a job these days.
the joke’s on somebody
(informal)used to say that somebody who tried to make another person look silly now looks silly instead
  • I thought I'd play a trick on them, but in the end the joke was on me.
make a joke of something
to laugh about something that is serious or should be taken seriously
  • We tried to make a joke of our situation, but it wasn't really funny.
take a joke
to be able to laugh at a joke against yourself
  • The trouble with her is she can't take a joke.

Practice with vocabulary joke

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. He told a witty _____ to lighten the mood during the tense meeting.
  2. My colleagues played a funny _____ on me by hiding my stapler, but I quickly found it.
  3. The speaker shared a personal _____ about his first job, which entertained the audience.
  4. It was all just a harmless _____, no one meant to cause offense.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following describes something intended to cause laughter or amusement? a) a report b) a critique c) a joke d) a speech

  2. To add a moment of levity to a formal presentation, one might include a well-timed ______. a) analysis b) joke c) jest d) theorem

  3. If someone tells a witty story that makes everyone laugh, what could it be described as? a) an observation b) a declaration c) a joke d) an amusing tale

  4. Expressing the opposite of what you truly mean, often to amuse or mock, is known as ______. a) hyperbole b) irony c) flattery d) sarcasm

  5. What type of informal conversation typically involves discussing other people's personal lives, often without direct knowledge? a) debate b) gossip c) seminar d) discourse

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The unexpected funny comment from the CEO lightened the tense atmosphere. (Use "joke")
  2. Don't take his teasing seriously; he's just being playful. (Use "joking")
  3. Her humorous remarks always manage to brighten everyone's day. (Use a suitable replacement for "humorous remarks")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. joke
  2. prank
  3. anecdote
  4. joke

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) a joke
  2. b) joke, c) jest
  3. c) joke, d) an amusing tale
  4. b) irony, d) sarcasm
  5. b) gossip

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The CEO's unexpected joke lightened the tense atmosphere.
  2. Don't take his teasing seriously; he's just joking.
  3. Her witticisms always manage to brighten everyone's day.

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