noun
poker face
POH-ker fayss
Poker face (noun) means a blank expression that gives away nothing about what a person is thinking or feeling. Example: “She kept a perfect poker face while they read out the verdict.”
noun
1
A blank expression that gives away nothing about what a person is thinking or feeling.
"She kept a perfect poker face while they read out the verdict."
"I could not tell if he was joking — he has an incredible poker face."
2
A person who habitually shows no emotion in their face.
"Ask him anything you like; he's a poker face."
How to use poker face
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA face that shows nothing at all about what you are feeling.
When to use it
Informal but universally understood, and common in business and negotiation writing as well as everyday speech.
Memory tip
Deadpan usually describes a comic delivery; a poker face is about hiding information, not being funny.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
deadpan →
stone-faced
Common pairings
keep a poker face
maintain a poker face
straight poker face
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She kept a perfect _____ while they read out the verdict.
Etymology
From the card game poker, in which concealing your reaction to your own hand is essential to play.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for poker face
See all rhymes for poker face →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a poker face and deadpan?
A poker face is about concealment — hiding what you think or feel, typically to gain an advantage. Deadpan describes delivering something funny with no expression at all, where the flatness is the joke. One hides information, the other creates humour.
How do you keep a poker face?
The usual advice is to relax the jaw and brow, keep your breathing steady, avoid touching your face, and settle your gaze rather than darting your eyes. The tell is nearly always a change from your resting expression, so consistency matters more than blankness.
What is the meaning of poker face?
"poker face" (noun) means a blank expression that gives away nothing about what a person is thinking or feeling.
What is another word for poker face?
Other words for "poker face" include deadpan, blank expression, straight face, impassive look.
