joker
noun
jok·er ˈjō-kər 
1
a
: a person given to joking : wag
b
: fellow, guy
especially : an insignificant, obnoxious, or incompetent person
a shame to let a joker like this win 
Harold Robbins
Harold Robbins 2
: a playing card added to a pack as a wild card or as the highest-ranking card
3
a(1)
: an ambiguous or apparently immaterial clause inserted in a legislative bill to make it inoperative or uncertain in some respect
(2)
: an unsuspected, misleading, or misunderstood clause, phrase, or word in a document that nullifies or greatly alters it
b
: something (such as an expedient or stratagem) held in reserve to gain an end or escape from a predicament
c
: an unsuspected or not readily apparent fact, factor, or condition that thwarts or nullifies a seeming advantage
Synonyms
- card
- comedian
- comic
- droll
- farceur
- funnyman
- gagger
- gagman
- gagster
- humorist
- jester
- jokester
- wag
- wit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Jokers are wild in this game. I can't believe I let that joker beat me. Some joker hit our car.
Recent Examples on the Web Football heroics, overcoming obstacles, practical joker, etc. Jr Radcliffe, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022 Football heroics, overcoming obstacles, practical joker, etc. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 13 Sep. 2022 The joker then felt terrible, as no slight had been intended. Pat Myers, Washington Post, 16 June 2022 Police Chief John Madden of Burr Ridge talked about his 42-year friendship with Ruth, drawing laughs with stories of Ruth the practical joker. Graydon Megan, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2022 Jones scares up all sorts of laughs as the Texas Bushman, a practical joker in a leafy green ghillie suit who poses as a potted shrub and pops out at unsuspecting passersby. René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 17 May 2022 Hamilton is a joker-piece defender who can line up all over the formation, giving defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio plenty of schematic options. Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 2022 This week, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are the joker and queen, respectively; Pusha T is back in the lab; and Nicki Minaj makes more heat with Lil Baby. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2022 The pampered joker prince would soon find grounding, purpose, and a new wellspring of maternal pride. Simon Usborne, Town & Country, 13 Mar. 2022 See More
Jr Radcliffe, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022 Football heroics, overcoming obstacles, practical joker, etc. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 13 Sep. 2022 The joker then felt terrible, as no slight had been intended. Pat Myers, Washington Post, 16 June 2022 Police Chief John Madden of Burr Ridge talked about his 42-year friendship with Ruth, drawing laughs with stories of Ruth the practical joker. Graydon Megan, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2022 Jones scares up all sorts of laughs as the Texas Bushman, a practical joker in a leafy green ghillie suit who poses as a potted shrub and pops out at unsuspecting passersby. René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 17 May 2022 Hamilton is a joker-piece defender who can line up all over the formation, giving defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio plenty of schematic options. Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 2022 This week, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are the joker and queen, respectively; Pusha T is back in the lab; and Nicki Minaj makes more heat with Lil Baby. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2022 The pampered joker prince would soon find grounding, purpose, and a new wellspring of maternal pride. Simon Usborne, Town & Country, 13 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
joker
noun
jok·er ˈjō-kər
1
: a person who says or does things to make others laugh
2
: an extra card used in some card games
joker
noun
1
as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor he's the joker of the family, always making us laugh Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- comedian
- jokester
- jester
- entertainer
- humorist
- clown
- card
- farceur
- droll
- funnyman
- comic
- wag
- gagger
- kidder
- buffoon
- wit
- prankster
- gagman
- gagster
- comedienne
- harlequin
- cutup
- knockabout
- practical joker
- wisecracker
- teaser
- quipster
- caricaturist
- fool
- zany
- parodist
- banterer
- satirist
- quipper
- lampooner
2
as in clown
a person whose behavior is offensive to others just ignore that joker and his rude comments Synonyms & Similar Words
- clown
- jerk
- bastard
- dog
- skunk
- idiot
- snake
- villain
- cad
- beast
- rat
- moron
- fool
- brute
- bugger
- creep
- rotter
- toad
- scumbag
- buzzard
- stinker
- schmuck
- swine
- sod
- brat
- slimeball
- boor
- blighter
- pill
- bounder
- cretin
- reptile
- dirtbag
- scum
- scuzzball
- varmint
- bleeder
- fink
- chuff
- lout
- heel
- hound
- nuisance
- louse
- sleazebag
- barbarian
- cur
- vermin
- sleazeball
- nerd
- churl
- savage
- sleaze
- slob
- stinkard
- scoundrel
- rascal
- loudmouth
- rogue
- slime
- rat fink
- crud
- son of a gun
- crumb
- jackass
- so-and-so
- lowlife
- wretch
- scamp
- caveman
- imbecile
- roughneck
- nincompoop
- dolt
- blockhead
- goon
- dope
- vulgarian
- doofus
- scab
- booby
- airhead
- turkey
- ninny
- birdbrain
- miscreant
- dork
- nitwit
- insolent
- pest
- nut
- snob
- dweeb
- half-wit
- schmo
- nit
- schmoe
- dink
- snot
- Neanderthal
- snip
- snoot
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hero
- gentleman
- lady
- idol
- heroine
- saint
- role model
- angel
3
as in guy
an adult male human being sat at the bar next to some poor joker who had just lost his job Synonyms & Similar Words
- guy
- gentleman
- male
- dude
- man
- cat
- bloke
- lad
- bastard
- fella
- chappie
- chap
- gent
- joe
- galoot
- fellow
- hombre
- mister
- jack
- sir
- master
- buddy
- buster
- buck
4
as in gotcha
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- gotcha
- hitch
- risk
- gimmick
- land mine
- kicker
- pitfall
- catch
- booby trap
- snag
- trip wire
- catch-22
- decoy
- bomb
- hazard
- trap
- bombshell
- web
- surprise
- snare
- bait
- peril
- surprize
- lure