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noun Common

poker

POH-kuh

Poker (noun) means a metal rod used to stir and adjust burning coals or logs in a fire. Example: “He jabbed at the embers with a poker.”

noun
1
A metal rod used to stir and adjust burning coals or logs in a fire.
"He jabbed at the embers with a poker."
2
A card game in which players bet on the strength of their hands.
"They played poker until 2 a.m., betting matchsticks instead of cash."

How to use poker

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the metal fireplace tool, or the well-known card-betting game.

Common pairings
play poker poker face poker night

Word forms

pokered past tense, pokered past tense, pokers plural, pokers plural, pokers plural, pokers singular, pokers singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He jabbed at the embers with a _____.

Etymology

American English, perhaps from first element of German Pochspiel, from German pochen, perhaps from French poque. First appeared in the 19th century.

Origin: German

fire iron fire tool

Rhymes for poker

See all rhymes for poker →

Frequently asked questions

What does “poker” mean?

The word “poker” means a metal rod used to stir and adjust burning coals or logs in a fire. In plain terms, either the metal fireplace tool, or the well-known card-betting game.

How do you pronounce “poker”?

“Poker” is pronounced POH-kuh (/ˈpoʊkɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “poker” in a sentence?

Here is “poker” used in a sentence: “He jabbed at the embers with a poker.”

What part of speech is “poker”?

“Poker” is a noun.

Is “poker” a common word?

“Poker” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “poker” have?

“Poker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal rod used to stir and adjust burning coals or logs in a fire.

What is the difference between poker and blackjack?

In poker, players bet against each other based on the strength of their hands, while in blackjack players compete against the dealer to get closer to 21. Poker rewards bluffing and reading opponents, whereas blackjack centres on reaching a target total.

What is a fireplace poker used for?

A fireplace poker is a metal rod used to stir, move, and adjust burning coals or logs, helping air reach the fire so it keeps burning. It is a traditional tool kept beside open fires and wood-burning stoves.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary