joke

Something funny that you tell people to make them laugh.

• She told us a funny joke.
• His jokes always make me laugh.
• Have you heard the joke about the talking dog?

How to use it: joke about someone/something (He told a joke about his cat.)

Similar words: funny story, gag

Common phrases: tell a joke, funny joke, joke about something, old joke

Something said or done for fun, without being serious.

• It was only a joke.
• She hid my shoes as a joke.
• He took the joke seriously and got angry.

Similar words: jest, prank

Common phrases: only a joke, practical joke, take a joke

A person or thing so bad or useless that it does not deserve respect.

• Their customer service is a joke.
• That tiny pay rise was a complete joke.
• Nobody trusts him; he's become a joke.

Similar words: sham, farce, laughingstock

Common phrases: a complete joke, a total joke, a bad joke

To say something funny that you do not mean seriously.

• I'm only joking.
• We joked about the awful weather.
• He often jokes that he needs a longer weekend.

How to use it: joke about someone/something (We joked about our terrible cooking.); joke that… (She joked that her cat was her boss.)

Similar words: kid, jest

Common phrases: joke about something, only joke, joke with someone, joke around

Used to show that you find what someone says very hard to believe.

• You must be joking! That costs far too much.
• Are you joking? The exam is tomorrow?
• You want me to finish tonight? Surely you're joking.

How to use it: you must be joking (You paid a thousand pounds? You must be joking!); are you joking? (We have to walk ten miles? Are you joking?)

Similar words: kid

Common phrases: joke with me, joke about that

To playfully mislead or tease someone for fun.

• I'm just joking with you; your hair looks fine.
• She joked with her brother about his new girlfriend.
• Were you joking with me about the surprise party?

How to use it: joke with someone (Relax, I'm just joking with you.)

Similar words: tease, kid, mess with

Common phrases: joke with someone, just joke