Word
jake
Phoneticsjake
/ˈdʒeɪk/
Definitions
01satisfactory or okay
adj. used to say that everything is fine or satisfactory.
adj. denoting that a situation or arrangement is satisfactory, acceptable, or 'all right'.
“Don't worry about the money; everything is jake.”
“He assured his partner that as long as the shipment arrived by midnight, the entire operation would be jake.”
Slang · Archaic
Usage
Usually functions as a predicative adjective following a linking verb.
Teaching tip
This sense is largely dated and associated with early 20th-century American slang; modern learners will rarely encounter it outside of period films or literature.
Synonyms
02the police
n. a slang name for a police officer.
n. a slang term for a law enforcement officer, often used in urban or multicultural dialects.
“Keep a lookout for the jake while we wait here.”
“The group dispersed quickly when someone spotted the jake patrolling the far end of the alleyway.”
Slang · Dialect
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' to refer to the police generally.
Teaching tip
Common in Multicultural London English (MLE) and some New York City dialects; it can be perceived as disrespectful or confrontational depending on the context.
03a young turkey
n. a young male turkey.
n. a juvenile male turkey, typically under one year of age.
“The hunter spotted a jake in the clearing but decided to wait for a larger bird.”
“Wildlife biologists distinguish a jake from an adult tom by the length of its beard and the shape of its tail feathers.”
Technical · American English
Usage
Primarily used in hunting and ornithological contexts.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized term used by farmers, hunters, and bird experts.
Etymology
Originally a medieval variant of Jack; today also used as a diminutive form of Jacob and James.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/jake