joker

jok-er · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who tells jokes or does funny things.

  2. 2.

    A playing card in some games, typically bearing the image of a jester, used as a wild card.

  3. 3.

    (informal) A foolish or annoying person.

  4. 4.

    An unexpected factor that may change a situation.

Forms

plural: jokers

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    joker in the pack — an unpredictable person or factor
  • •
    wild card / joker — something that can have an unpredictable effect

Related words

See also: comedian, joke, jokes, joking
Synonyms: clown, comedian, jester, prankster

Etymology

From joke + -er (agent suffix). Joke comes from Latin jocus ("jest, joke").