Poke Definition

pōk

poked, pokes, poking

verb

poked, pokes, poking

To push or jab with a stick, finger, etc.; prod.

Webster's New World

To make (a hole or pathway, for example) by or as if by prodding, elbowing, or jabbing.

I poked my way to the front of the crowd.

American Heritage

To pry or search.

Webster's New World

To make by poking.

To poke a hole in a bag.

Webster's New World

To make jabs with a stick, poker, etc. (at something)

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
rush
leave-alone

noun

pokes

The act of poking; jab; thrust; nudge.

Webster's New World

A blow with the fist.

Webster's New World

One who moves slowly or aimlessly; a dawdler.

American Heritage

Slowpoke.

Webster's New World

A poke bonnet, or its projecting front brim.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

idiom

poke fun at

To ridicule in a mischievous manner.

American Heritage

poke fun at

to ridicule or deride, esp. satirically or slyly

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Poke

Noun

Singular:

poke

Plural:

pokes

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Poke

poke fun at
poke fun at

Origin of Poke

Perhaps from Middle Dutch poken or German poken (both from Proto-Germanic *puk-), perhaps imitative.

From Wiktionary
Short for dialectal pocan of Virginia Algonquian origin akin to puccoon

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Either a shortening of, or from the same source as, pocan (“pokeweed") (quod vide).

From Wiktionary
Middle English poken probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English probably from Old North French pocket

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Anglo-Norman poke, whence pocket

From Wiktionary
From poke

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition