verb
Uncommon
poke
pohk
Poke (verb) means to prod or jab something with a finger or object. Example: “She poked him in the ribs to get his attention.”
verb
1
To prod or jab something with a finger or object.
"She poked him in the ribs to get his attention."
"Don't poke the fire with your bare hands."
2
To thrust something out or forward, such as one's head or tongue.
"He poked his head around the door to see if anyone was there."
noun
1
A prod, jab, or thrust.
"She gave him a friendly poke in the shoulder."
2
A Hawaiian dish of cubed raw fish mixed with seasonings.
"We grabbed poke bowls for lunch on the beach."
How to use poke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo jab or prod something, or a light jabbing motion — also, informally, a Hawaiian raw-fish dish.
Common pairings
poke fun at
poke around
poke someone in the ribs
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Word forms
- Plural
- pokes
- Third person singular
- pokes
- Past tense
- poked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ him in the ribs to get his attention.
Etymology
From Middle English poken, likely borrowed from a Middle Dutch or Low German word of imitative origin.
Related words
Rhymes for poke
See all rhymes for poke →Frequently asked questions
What does “poke” mean?
The word “poke” means to prod or jab something with a finger or object. In plain terms, to jab or prod something, or a light jabbing motion — also, informally, a Hawaiian raw-fish dish.
How do you pronounce “poke”?
“Poke” is pronounced pohk (/poʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “poke” in a sentence?
Here is “poke” used in a sentence: “She poked him in the ribs to get his attention.”
What part of speech is “poke”?
Depending on how it is used, “poke” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “poke” come from?
The word “poke” comes from Middle English. From Middle English poken, likely borrowed from a Middle Dutch or Low German word of imitative origin.
Is “poke” a common word?
“Poke” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “poke” have?
“Poke” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to prod or jab something with a finger or object.
What is the difference between a poke and the Hawaiian dish poke?
A poke as a prod, jab, or thrust is unrelated to poke the food, which is a Hawaiian dish of cubed raw fish mixed with seasonings. The two share only a spelling; the dish name comes from Hawaiian and is usually pronounced differently from the verb.
What is the difference between "poke" and "prod"?
Poke and prod both describe jabbing something with a finger or object, and are largely interchangeable, though "poke" more often suggests a light, quick touch while "prod" can imply more deliberate pressure, such as prodding someone into action. Both can be used literally or figuratively.
Can "poke" mean something other than a physical jab?
Yes, poke can also mean to thrust something out or forward, as in poking your head around a door or poking your tongue out. It is also used informally for an old-style social media nudge, such as a Facebook poke.
