Joker — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈjō-kər/ jok·er

Meaning & Definition of Joker

Joker (noun)

  1. a person given to joking, wag
  2. fellow, guy; especially, an insignificant, obnoxious, or incompetent person
  3. a playing card added to a pack as a wild card or as the highest-ranking card

Joker (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor

    "he's the joker of the family, always making us laugh"

    similar: card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster, humorist, jester, jokester, wag, wit
    related: comedienne, entertainer, banterer, cutup, kidder, knockabout, practical joker, prankster, quipper, quipster, teaser, wisecracker, buffoon, clown, fool, harlequin, zany, caricaturist, lampooner, parodist, satirist

  2. a person whose behavior is offensive to others

    "just ignore that joker and his rude comments"

    similar: bastard, beast, bleeder (British), blighter (chiefly British), boor, bounder, bugger, buzzard, cad, chuff, churl, clown, creep, cretin, crud (slang), crumb (slang), cur, dirtbag (slang), dog, fink, heel, hound, jerk, louse, lout, pill, rat, rat fink, reptile, rotter, schmuck (slang), scum, scumbag (slang), scuzzball (slang), skunk, sleaze, sleazebag (slang), sleazeball (slang), slime, slimeball (slang), slob, snake, so-and-so, sod (chiefly British), stinkard, stinker, swine, toad, varmint, vermin, son of a gun
    related: barbarian, brute, caveman, Neanderthal, savage, loudmouth, vulgarian, lowlife, miscreant, rascal, rogue, roughneck, scab, scamp, scoundrel, villain, wretch, booby, doofus (slang), fool, jackass, nincompoop, ninny, nit (chiefly British), nitwit, nut, schmo (slang), airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, dink (slang), dolt, dope, dork (slang), goon, half-wit, idiot, imbecile, moron, turkey, brat, insolent, nuisance, pest, snip, snob, snoot, snot, dweeb (slang), nerd
    near: hero, heroine, idol, role model, gentleman, lady, angel, saint

  3. an adult male human being

    "sat at the bar next to some poor joker who had just lost his job"

    similar: bastard, bloke (chiefly British), buck, cat, chap (chiefly British), chappie (British), dude, fella, fellow, galoot (slang), gent, gentleman, guy, hombre, jack, joe, lad, male, man
    related: master, mister, sir, buddy, buster

  4. a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized

    "read the contract carefully before signing to make sure there aren't any jokers"

    similar: booby trap, catch, catch-22, gimmick, gotcha, hitch, land mine, pitfall, snag
    related: snare, trap, trip wire, web, hazard, peril, risk, bomb, bombshell, kicker, surprise, bait, decoy, lure

Related Entry: Practical joker (noun)

Practical joker is a different word from Joker. The synonyms below are for practical joker, not for joker.

  1. as in banterer, quipper

    similar: banterer, cutup, kidder, knockabout, prankster, quipper, quipster, teaser, wisecracker, comedienne, entertainer, buffoon, clown, fool, harlequin, zany, card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster, humorist, jester, joker, jokester, wag, wit, caricaturist, lampooner, parodist, satirist

Related Entry: Practical joke (noun)

Practical joke is a different word from Joker. The synonyms below are for practical joke, not for joker.

  1. a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke

    "friends had left the risqué message on his voice mail as a practical joke"

    similar: antic, caper, capriccio, dido, escapade, frolic, gag, jest, knavery, monkeyshine(s), prank, rag (chiefly British), roguery, shavie (Scottish), shine(s), trick, waggery
    related: skylarking, adventure, experience, game, lark, time, high jinks, horseplay, play, roughhousing, rowdyism, shenanigan(s), tomfoolery, joking, kidding, teasing, gambit, hoax, maneuver, ploy, deed, feat, mission, performance, stunt, caprice, conceit, fancy, vagary, whim, whimsy, deceit, deception, delusion, fooling, fraud, hanky-panky, hoodwinking, ruse, sham, stratagem, subterfuge, trickery, wile

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Joker

The most common words with a similar meaning to Joker:

Slang: crud, crumb, dirtbag, schmuck, scumbag, scuzzball, sleazebag, sleazeball, slimeball, galoot
Chiefly British: blighter, sod, bloke, chap
British: bleeder, chappie
card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster, humorist, jester, jokester, wag, wit, bastard, beast, boor, bounder, bugger, buzzard, cad, chuff, churl, clown, creep, cretin, cur, dog, fink, heel, hound, jerk, louse, lout, pill, rat, rat fink, reptile, rotter, scum

Related Words for Joker

comedienne, entertainer, banterer, cutup, kidder, knockabout, practical joker, prankster, quipper, quipster, teaser, wisecracker, buffoon, fool, harlequin, zany, caricaturist, lampooner, parodist, satirist, barbarian, brute, caveman, Neanderthal, savage, loudmouth, vulgarian, lowlife, miscreant, rascal

Near Antonyms of Joker

hero, heroine, idol, role model, gentleman, lady, angel, saint

Origin & Etymology of Joker

First known use: circa 1726

Frequently Asked Questions about Joker

What does "Joker" mean?

"Joker" means a person given to joking, wag. As a noun, it is defined as: a person given to joking, wag. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Joker"?

Other words for "Joker" include card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger and gagman. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Joker" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Joker"?

There are 180 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Joker". Common alternatives include card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster and humorist.

What is a slang word for "Joker"?

Slang words for "Joker" include crud, crumb, dirtbag, schmuck, scumbag and scuzzball.

How do you use "Joker" in a sentence?

Examples of "Joker" in a sentence: "he's the joker of the family, always making us laugh"; "just ignore that joker and his rude comments"; "sat at the bar next to some poor joker who had just lost his job".

Is "Joker" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Joker" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Joker"?

"Joker" is pronounced /ˈjō-kər/ and divided into syllables as jok·er.

What is the origin of the word "Joker"?

First known use: circa 1726.