joke

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. something you say or do to be funny, not to be serious.

n. something said or performed for amusement or mischief rather than in earnest.

日本語:冗談※

“I thought it was a joke, but he was actually being serious.”

“The hidden-camera show specialized in elaborate jokes designed to capture the genuine reactions of unsuspecting passersby.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. something that is so bad or poorly done that it is embarrassing.

n. a person, thing, or situation that is laughably inadequate or lacks integrity.

“The new security system is a joke; the door doesn't even lock properly.”

“Critics argued that the trial was a complete joke, citing the lack of evidence and the biased nature of the proceedings.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a task or activity that is much easier than you expected.

n. an undertaking or challenge that proves to be trivial or effortlessly accomplished.

“After all that studying, the final exam was a total joke.”

“For a professional athlete of her caliber, the local qualifying round was a joke that required little more than a warm-up effort.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to trick or tease someone in a friendly way.

v. to engage in lighthearted deception or teasing of another person.

“Are you joking me? There is no way we won the lottery.”

“He realized his friends were joking him when they all struggled to keep a straight face while telling the tall tale.”