# Joe

/ˈdʒoʊ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/joe
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. coffee

noun · CEFR B1 · American English · Informal

a common, informal word for a cup of coffee.

For teachers: a colloquial term for coffee, often used in the phrase 'a cup of joe'.

- I need a hot cup of joe before I can start my work day.
- The weary commuters crowded into the small diner, each waiting for a fresh cup of joe to help them face the morning shift.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the drink, but countable in the phrase 'a cup of joe'.

### 2. an ordinary man

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a typical or average man, often used in the phrase 'average joe'.

For teachers: a generic term for an ordinary man or a member of the common people.

- He presents himself as just an average joe who enjoys watching sports.
- The marketing campaign was designed to appeal to the average joe rather than the wealthy elite.

Usage: Frequently occurs in the fixed expression 'average joe'.

### 3. a spy

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

a slang word for a secret agent or a spy.

For teachers: a slang term for an intelligence agent, particularly one used as a source or double agent.

- The handler met his joe in a quiet park to exchange documents.
- In the world of international espionage, a joe must be carefully managed to ensure their cover remains intact.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to espionage jargon and is rarely heard in everyday conversation outside of spy novels or films.

## Examples

- He is just an average Joe who likes football.
- The politician tried to appeal to the average Joe by visiting local diners and talking about rising gas prices.
- The marketing campaign was designed to resonate with the average Joe rather than the elite consumer, focusing on reliability and affordability over luxury features.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.