What is poke? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of poke

pokenoun/verb

/pəʊk//pəʊk/

The word "poke" has a couple of pronunciations depending on its meaning! Here's a breakdown:

1. As in "a poke" (a quick tap or push):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈpɔːk/ (rhymes with "hawk")
  • Breakdown:
    • ˈ (stress) – This indicates the stressed syllable.
    • p – as in "pen"
    • ɔː – This is a rounded "aw" sound, like in "caught" or "law." This is the key to the correct pronunciation.
    • k – as in "kite"

2. As in "a poke" (a unit of measurement – typically for fabric or dry goods):

  • Pronunciation: /pɑːk/ (rhymes with "park")
  • Breakdown:
    • p – as in "pen"
    • ɑː – This is a broad "ah" sound, like in "father." It's a longer, more open vowel.
    • k – as in "kite"

Here's a quick way to remember:

  • “Poke” as in a tap: Think of "hawk."
  • “Poke” as in a unit of measure: Think of "park."

Resources to listen and practice:

To help me give you the most accurate response, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "poke?" (e.g., physically poking someone, or talking about measuring fabric?)

Usage and examples with the word poke in English

The word "poke" has a surprisingly wide range of meanings and uses in English! Here's a breakdown of how to use it, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Unit of Measurement (Most Common Today)

  • Definition: A "poke" is a traditional British unit of weight, equal to 8 pounds (approximately 3.63 kilograms).
  • Usage: You'll often hear it used with agricultural or food items.
  • Examples:
    • "I bought a whole poke of potatoes."
    • "The farmer harvested a poke of apples."
    • "That's a generous poke of sugar!"

2. To Gently Tap or Poke

  • Definition: This is the most common modern usage. To lightly touch or tap someone or something with a finger or object.
  • Usage: It implies a gentle, often inquisitive, action.
  • Examples:
    • “He poked his head around the corner.”
    • “She poked the bear with her finger.” (Referring to the classic children's book)
    • “I poked the mud to see if it was dry.”

3. (Older Usage) To Thrust or Probe

  • Definition: Historically, "poke" meant to thrust or probe, especially with a pointed instrument. This usage is now less common.
  • Example: "He poked him with a stick." (This sounds a bit archaic)

4. (Slang/Informal) To Persist or Pester

  • Definition: More informal. To repeatedly ask or bother someone. This is a relatively recent slang usage.
  • Usage: Often used in a slightly exasperated or teasing way.
  • Examples:
    • “Stop poking me with questions!”
    • “Don't poke around too much; you'll get into trouble.”

5. (Rare) To Stir or Mix

  • Definition: Occasionally used to mean to stir or mix something. This is quite rare.
  • Example: "Poke the batter until it's smooth.”

Tips for Using "Poke" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "poke" is almost entirely determined by the context of the sentence.
  • Consider the age of the speaker: "Poke" is more likely to be used in informal speech and is slightly older-fashioned.
  • Be aware of regional variations: While primarily British, “poke” for weight is understood in many English-speaking countries. Slang usage might vary by region.

Resources to learn more:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of a specific usage?
  • Explain how "poke" might sound in a particular situation?

Synonyms for the word poke

Idioms of the word poke

have a poke around
(informal)to look carefully around a place to see what you can find; to try to find out information about somebody/something
  • His mother often goes into his room and has a good old poke around.
(buy) a pig in a poke
if you buy a pig in a poke, you buy something without seeing it or knowing if it is good enough
  • Buying from a catalogue can mean buying a pig in a poke.
take a poke at somebody/something
(North American English, old-fashioned, informal)to make an unkind remark about somebody/something; to laugh at somebody/something

    Practice with vocabulary poke

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The auditor's job was to thoroughly ___ into the company's accounts for any irregularities.
    2. She had to ___ her head around the corner to see if anyone was in the office.
    3. Before making a final decision, the team decided to thoroughly ___ the market research data.
    4. A gentle ___ from his colleague reminded him it was his turn to speak.

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

    1. The journalist's investigative report aimed to ___ holes in the company's official statement. A) fill B) poke C) mend D) reinforce E) expose

    2. During the presentation, she noticed her supervisor would occasionally ___ his finger at the screen to highlight data points. A) point B) wave C) poke D) sweep E) direct

    3. It's generally not advisable to ___ your nose into ongoing interpersonal conflicts in the office unless directly involved. A) keep B) insert C) poke D) remove E) meddle

    4. The persistent analyst continued to ___ the data, looking for deeper patterns. A) delve into B) gloss over C) examine D) ignore E) investigate

    5. The security guard had to gently ___ the sleeping man to ask him to leave. A) hit B) tap C) nudge D) punch E) shake

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Rewrite the sentence to use "poke": She extended her head cautiously around the doorway to observe if anyone was inside.

    2. Rewrite the sentence to use "poke": The constant questions from the new intern seemed to agitate the project manager.

    3. Rewrite the sentence to NOT use "poke", using a suitable replacement word: He tried to subtly bring the deadline to his colleague's attention during the meeting.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The auditor's job was to thoroughly poke into the company's accounts for any irregularities.
    2. She had to poke her head around the corner to see if anyone was in the office.
    3. Before making a final decision, the team decided to thoroughly scrutinize the market research data.
    4. A gentle nudge from his colleague reminded him it was his turn to speak.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. B) poke, E) expose
    2. A) point, C) poke, E) direct
    3. B) insert, C) poke, E) meddle
    4. A) delve into, C) examine, E) investigate
    5. B) tap, C) nudge, E) shake

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. She had to poke her head cautiously around the doorway to observe if anyone was inside.
    2. The constant questions from the new intern seemed to poke at the project manager's patience.
    3. He tried to subtly prompt his colleague about the deadline during the meeting.

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