joe
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a common, informal word for a cup of coffee.
a colloquial term for coffee, often used in the phrase 'a cup of joe'.
Simple“I need a hot cup of joe before I can start my work day.”
In context“The weary commuters crowded into the small diner, each waiting for a fresh cup of joe to help them face the morning shift.”
UsageUsually uncountable when referring to the drink, but countable in the phrase 'a cup of joe'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a typical or average man, often used in the phrase 'average joe'.
a generic term for an ordinary man or a member of the common people.
Simple“He presents himself as just an average joe who enjoys watching sports.”
In context“The marketing campaign was designed to appeal to the average joe rather than the wealthy elite.”
UsageFrequently occurs in the fixed expression 'average joe'.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a slang word for a secret agent or a spy.
a slang term for an intelligence agent, particularly one used as a source or double agent.
Simple“The handler met his joe in a quiet park to exchange documents.”
In context“In the world of international espionage, a joe must be carefully managed to ensure their cover remains intact.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to espionage jargon and is rarely heard in everyday conversation outside of spy novels or films.
Short form (diminutive form) of various names beginning with Jo..., particularly the male names Joseph and, less often, Joel, Josiah and Josias. The spelling Jo is used more often for diminutives of similar female names.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.