(~s, joking, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is something that is said or done to make you laugh, for example a funny story.
He debated whether to make a ~ about shooting rabbits, but decided against it...
No one told worse ~s than Claus.
N-COUNT: oft N about n
2.
If you ~, you tell funny stories or say amusing things.
She would ~ about her appearance...
Lorna was laughing and joking with Trevor...
The project was taking so long that Stephen ~d that it would never be finished...
‘Well, a beautiful spring Thursday would probably be a nice day to be buried on,’ Nancy ~d.
VERB: V about n, V with n, V that, V with quote
3.
A ~ is something untrue that you tell another person in order to amuse yourself.
It was probably just a ~ to them, but it wasn’t funny to me.
N-COUNT
4.
If you ~, you tell someone something that is not true in order to amuse yourself.
Don’t get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking...
‘I wish you made as much fuss of me,’ Vera ~d.
VERB: V, V with quote
5.
If you say that something or someone is a ~, you think they are ridiculous and do not deserve respect. (INFORMAL)
It’s ridiculous, it’s pathetic, it’s a ~...
N-SING: a N disapproval
6.
If you say that an annoying or worrying situation is beyond a ~, you are emphasizing that it is worse than you think is fair or reasonable. (BRIT)
I’m not afraid of a fair fight but this is beginning to get beyond a ~.
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v emphasis
7.
If you make a ~ of something, you laugh at it even though it is in fact rather serious or sad.
I wish I had your courage, Michael, to make a ~ of it like that.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
8.
If you describe a situation as no ~, you are emphasizing that it is very difficult or unpleasant. (INFORMAL)
Two hours on a bus is no ~, is it.
PHRASE: v-link PHR emphasis
9.
If you say that the ~ is on a particular person, you mean that they have been made to look very foolish by something.
‘For once,’ he said, ‘the ~’s on me. And it’s not very funny.’
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
10.
If you say that someone cannot take a ~, you are criticizing them for getting upset or angry at something you think is funny.
‘What’s the matter with you, Simon?’ Curly said. ‘Can’t you take a ~?’
PHRASE: V inflects disapproval
11.
You say you’re joking or you must be joking to someone when they have just told you something that is so surprising or unreasonable that you find it difficult to believe. (SPOKEN)
One hundred and forty quid for a pair of headphones, you’ve got to be joking!
CONVENTION feelings