noun

1. anything said or done to arouse laughter; specif.,
   1. a funny anecdote with a punch line
   2. an amusing trick played on someone
2. the humorous element in a situation
3. a thing done or said merely in fun
4. a person or thing to be laughed at, not to be taken seriously, because absurd, ridiculous, etc.

Etymology: L jocus, a joke, game < IE base *jek-, to speak > OHG jehan

intransitive verb joked, joking jok′·ing

1. to tell or play jokes
2. to say or do something as a joke; jest

Etymology: < jokethe or L jocari, to joke

transitive verb

1. Now Rare to make fun of; make (a person) the object of jokes or teasing
2. to bring to a specified condition by joking