poke Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: idiomsAH Idiom Dictionary
poke1 definition

poke (pōk)

transitive verb poked, poking pok′·ing

    1. to push or jab with a stick, finger, etc.; prod
    2. Slang to hit with the fist
  1. to make by poking to poke a hole in a bag
  2. to stir up (a fire) by jabbing the coals with a poker
  3. to thrust (something) forward; intrude to poke one's head out a window

Etymology: ME poken < MDu or LowG

intransitive verb

  1. to make jabs with a stick, poker, etc. (at something)
  2. to intrude; meddle
  3. to pry or search: sometimes with about or around
  4. to stick out; protrude
  5. to live or move slowly or lazily; loiter; putter; dawdle: often with along

noun

    1. the act of poking; jab; thrust; nudge
    2. Slang a blow with the fist
  1. slowpoke
  2. a poke bonnet, or its projecting front brim
poke Idioms

poke fun at

to ridicule or deride, esp. satirically or slyly
poke2 definition

poke (pōk)

noun

  1. Dialectal a sack or bag
  2. Archaic a pocket
  3. Slang
    1. a wallet or purse
    2. money, esp. all that one has

Etymology: OFr poke, poque < Frank *pokka < IE base *beu-, to blow up, swell > puck

poke3 definition

poke (pōk)

noun

Etymology: earlier pocan < AmInd (Virginian) puccoon, weed used for staining

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
poke Synonyms

poke

n.

jab, thrust, punch; see blow 1.


poke

v.

jab, punch, crowd; see push 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

poke Usage Examples

Object

  • hole: Why did God poke a hole in Whales head?

Modifies a noun

  • tincture: I use poke root tincture to kick my immune system into high gear.

Modifying Another Word

  • gently: Drop pill into cat's mouth and poke gently.

Noun used with modifier

  • toe: Instead they hesitated and allowed substitute Williams to sneak in and toe poke past a bewildered Beresford.

Preposition: with

  • stick: Someone really ought to give it a poke with a stick.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • around: With a couple of years to poke around, you may find the perfect place for you.
poke usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

poke quotes

Billy, in one of his nice new sashes, Fell in the fire and was burnt to ashes; Now, although the room grows chilly, I haven't the heart to poke poor Billy.

-Graham, Harry

poke quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"poke." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/poke>

APA Style

poke. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/poke

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment