joke

UK: dʒəʊk | US: dʒoʊk

Definition
  1. n. a humorous remark or act intended to provoke laughter

  2. n. something trivial or not to be taken seriously

  3. vt. to speak or act humorously or playfully

Structure

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Etymology

The word "joke" originates from the Latin jocus (meaning "jest" or "playful utterance"), which passed into Old French as joc before entering Middle English. Unlike many loanwords, "joke" retained its compact form without clear prefix/root/suffix divisions. Its evolution reflects a direct inheritance of the concept of lighthearted humor, with no significant structural changes in spelling or meaning over time.

Examples
  1. She told a hilarious joke at the party.

  2. Don’t take it seriously—it was just a joke.

  3. He loves to joke around with his coworkers.

  4. The prank started as a joke but went too far.

  5. Their relationship began with a shared sense of humor and playful jokes.