n. & v.
--n.
1. a a thing said or done to excite laughter. b a witticism or jest.
2 a ridiculous thing, person, or circumstance.
--v.
1. intr. make jokes.
2 tr. poke fun at; banter.
Phrases and idioms:
no joke colloq. a serious matter.
Derivatives:
jokingly adv. joky adj. (also jokey). jokily adv. jokiness n.
Etymology: 17th c. (joque), orig. sl.: perh. f. L jocus jest