joker

UK: /ˈdʒəʊkə^r/ US: /ˈdʒoʊkɚ/ ,( jō′kər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

jok•er /ˈdʒoʊkɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a person who jokes.
2. Games one of two extra playing cards in a pack, usually having the figure of a jester, used in some games as the highest card or as a wild card.
3. Informal Terms a person;
   fellow:
   Some joker left the refrigerator door open.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

jok•er  ( jō′kər), n. 

1. a person who jokes.
2. one of two extra playing cards in a pack, usually imprinted with the figure of a jester, used in some games as the highest card or as a wild card.
3. Government [U.S. Politics.] a clause or expression inserted in a legislative bill with the unavowed object of defeating the ostensible purpose of the bill if passed.
4. Government a seemingly minor, unsuspected clause or wording that is put into an agreement, legal document, etc., to change its effect.
5. an unexpected or final fact, factor, or condition that changes or reverses a situation or result completely:
   He gave her a beautiful diamond engagement ring, but the joker was that it was stolen!
6. any method, trick, or expedient for getting the better of another:
   They pulled a joker on us to get better seats.
7. Informal Terms a man;
   fellow;
   chap:
   That joker is earning twice as much as I am.
8. a person who thinks he or she is very funny;
   prankster:
   Who's the joker who frosted the cake with shaving cream?
9. Informal Terms a wise guy;
   wiseacre;
   smart aleck:
   Tell that joker to stop using my parking space.

• joke + -er¹ 1720–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

joker / ˈdʒəʊkə/ noun

1. a person who jokes, esp in an obnoxious manner
2. a person: who does that joker think he is?
3. an extra playing card in a pack, which in many card games can substitute for or rank above any other card