English Reference

Word

jokes

US/ˈdʒoʊks/

UK/dʒˈəʊks/

Definition

adj. something that is very funny, entertaining, or surprisingly good.

adj. a slang adjective used to describe something as highly amusing, entertaining, or of excellent quality.

Examples

“That party last night was absolute jokes.”

“We spent the whole afternoon at the beach and it was pure jokes from start to finish.”

“While the film was intended to be a serious drama, the low-budget effects were so poor that the entire viewing experience was total jokes.”

Examples

simple

“That party last night was absolute jokes.”

contextual

“We spent the whole afternoon at the beach and it was pure jokes from start to finish.”

complex

“While the film was intended to be a serious drama, the low-budget effects were so poor that the entire viewing experience was total jokes.”

Usage

Typically used as a predicative adjective after the verb 'to be'.

Teaching tip

This is very common in Multicultural London English (MLE) and among younger speakers in the UK; it should not be used in any formal or professional context.

Real-World Examples

“I have come for something greater than that.” At weddings and naming ceremonies, they are entertainers, drawing crowds with jokes, dancing and song.”
Al Jazeera · 14 Aug 2026
“I should have been a hunter,” he jokes at one point in the series, while on a stakeout.”
The Guardian · 18 Jul 2026

Synonyms

Antonyms

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Common
Updated
Register
British English, Slang, Informal

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/jokes

English Reference