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a playing card that has a picture of a jester on one side, used in various card games such as poker
What is a "joker"?
A joker is a special card in a deck of playing cards, usually included as one or two extra cards alongside the standard 52. The joker is often used as a wild card in many card games, meaning it can represent any other card to help complete a hand or win a trick. In some games, the joker has a specific role, such as being a trump card or a card that can substitute for another in order to create a winning combination. However, in many traditional card games, the joker is not used at all. Its role and value depend on the rules of the specific game being played.
a foolish, silly, or unreliable person
What is the origin of the term "joker" and how is it used?
"joker" is an English word that originally referred to a person who tells jokes or plays tricks, appearing in the 16th century. Over time, it developed a figurative sense to describe someone foolish, silly, or unreliable, drawing on the idea of a trickster or someone not to be taken seriously. It has been used in literature, everyday speech, and informal commentary to criticize behavior or character in a lightly mocking way. The term is generally mildly derogatory, often playful rather than harsh, and can be used in both casual and semi-formal contexts.
a person who enjoys telling or playing jokes
an inconspicuous clause in a document or bill that affects its meaning in a way that is not immediately apparent
