joke
15 synonyms for joke, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A short story or remark meant to make people laugh.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A short story or remark meant to make people laugh.
“He told a joke that had the whole table laughing.”
2. verb
To say or do something for fun rather than seriously.
“Don't worry, I was only joking about quitting.”
How to use joke
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tell a joke
crack a joke
play a joke on someone
take a joke
Etymology
From Latin iocus, "jest or pastime" — the same root that gave French jeu and Italian gioco.
Full origin of joke →Frequently asked questions
What does “joke” mean?
The word “joke” means a short story or remark meant to make people laugh. In plain terms, a funny remark or story, or (informally) something laughably bad.
How do you pronounce “joke”?
“Joke” is pronounced JOHK (/ˈd͡ʒoʊ̯k/ in IPA).
How do you use “joke” in a sentence?
Here is “joke” used in a sentence: “He told a joke that had the whole table laughing.”
What part of speech is “joke”?
Depending on how it is used, “joke” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “joke” come from?
The word “joke” comes from Latin. From Latin iocus, "jest or pastime" — the same root that gave French jeu and Italian gioco.
Is “joke” a common word?
“Joke” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “joke” have?
“Joke” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short story or remark meant to make people laugh.
What are the different types of jokes?
Jokes come in many forms. One-liners land a laugh in a single sentence; knock-knock jokes follow a set call-and-response; and puns play on words with similar sounds. There are also observational jokes about everyday life, riddles with a funny answer, and longer story jokes that build to a punchline.
What is the difference between a joke and a pun?
A joke is any short story or remark meant to make people laugh. A pun is one specific technique within humor: a play on words that exploits two meanings or similar sounds, like "time flies like an arrow." Every pun can be a joke, but most jokes rely on more than wordplay.
What makes a joke funny?
Most jokes work through surprise: they set up an expectation, then a punchline suddenly twists it in an unexpected direction. Good timing, a relatable subject, and playful use of language all help. Because humor is personal and cultural, the same joke can delight one listener and fall flat with another.
