joker
19 synonyms for joker, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who likes making jokes.
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.
How to use joker
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
practical joker
wild joker
joker in the pack
Etymology
From "joke" plus the agent suffix "-er"; the playing-card sense may instead come from the German card game Juckerspiel.
Full origin of joker →Frequently asked questions
What does “joker” mean?
The word “joker” means a person who likes making jokes. In plain terms, someone who jokes around, a wild card in a deck, or (in law) a sneaky clause buried in a contract.
How do you pronounce “joker”?
“Joker” is pronounced JOH-kuh (/ˈd͡ʒoʊkɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “joker” in a sentence?
Here is “joker” used in a sentence: “He's the joker of the group, always winding people up.”
What is another word for “joker”?
Words with a similar meaning to “joker” include buffoon, clown, comedian, comic, cutup and funnyman.
What part of speech is “joker”?
“Joker” is a noun.
Where does the word “joker” come from?
The word “joker” comes from German. From "joke" plus the agent suffix "-er"; the playing-card sense may instead come from the German card game Juckerspiel.
Is “joker” a common word?
“Joker” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “joker” have?
“Joker” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who likes making jokes.
What is the difference between a joker and a jester?
A jester was historically a professional entertainer employed at a royal court, while a joker is simply anyone who enjoys telling jokes or acting playfully. The playing-card joker takes its design from the jester figure, which is why the two are often visually linked.
Why is the joker card called a wild card?
In many card games the joker can substitute for any other card to complete a hand or trick, which is what "wild card" means. Not every game uses jokers this way; some remove them from the deck entirely before play.
What does it mean when a contract has a joker clause?
A joker clause is a hidden provision buried in a contract that quietly undermines or contradicts its stated terms. It is used informally in legal and business contexts to warn people to read the fine print carefully.
