noun
karaoke
KA-ree-oh-kee
noun
1
A form of entertainment, popular at bars and parties, where people take turns singing along to recorded backing tracks while the lyrics scroll on a screen.
"We booked a private karaoke room for her birthday."
"He always picks the same power ballad whenever karaoke night comes around."
verb
1
To sing along to a pre-recorded backing track, typically for fun in front of others.
"They karaoked until the bar closed at 2am."
How to Use Karaoke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSinging along to instrumental versions of songs, usually for fun with friends.
Common pairings
karaoke night
karaoke bar
sing karaoke
karaoke machine
Word Forms
karaoked past tense, karaokes plural, karaokes singular
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Etymology
From Japanese karaoke, a blend of kara ("empty") and oke, a shortened form of okesutora ("orchestra") — literally an "empty orchestra" backing track with no vocals.