noun
Uncommon
joker
JOH-kuh
Joker (noun) means a person who likes making jokes. Example: “He's the joker of the group, always winding people up.”
noun
1
A person who likes making jokes.
"He's the joker of the group, always winding people up."
"Our uncle is a real joker and never misses a chance to tease us."
"Every class has a joker who makes the teacher try not to laugh."
2
A playing card, often showing a jester, used as a wild card in some games.
"She played the joker to win the final hand."
"Before dealing, he took the joker out of the pack because the game does not use it."
"In this card game, the joker can stand in for any other card."
3
A clause hidden in a contract that undermines its stated terms.
"Buried in the small print was a joker that let the landlord raise rent at will."
"The lawyer found a joker in the agreement that cancelled the warranty after a month."
"Read the whole document carefully, because a joker in the final paragraph could cost you dearly."
How to use joker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who jokes around, a wild card in a deck, or (in law) a sneaky clause buried in a contract.
Common pairings
practical joker
wild joker
joker in the pack
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Word forms
- Plural
- jokers
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He's the _____ of the group, always winding people up.
Etymology
From "joke" plus the agent suffix "-er"; the playing-card sense may instead come from the German card game Juckerspiel.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for joker
See all rhymes for 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.
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