# juke

/ˈdʒuk/ (US) · /dʒˈuːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/juke
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to trick an opponent

verb · CEFR B2 · American English · Slang

to move in a way that tricks an opponent, especially in sports like football or basketball.

For teachers: to deceive or outmaneuver an opponent by using a feint or sudden change of direction.

- The player managed to juke the defender and ran straight to the goal.
- The point guard used a quick crossover to juke his marker, creating enough space to take the winning shot.

Usage: Often used as a transitive verb taking the opponent as the direct object.

### 2. to dance

verb · CEFR C2 · Dialect · American English

to dance, especially to energetic music in a bar or club.

For teachers: to dance or play music, particularly in the context of a juke joint or similar establishment.

- They spent the whole Saturday night juking at the local club.
- The patrons were juking to the rhythm of the blues, ignoring the heat of the crowded dance floor.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Southern American English and is often associated with historical 'juke joints'.

### 3. a deceptive move

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Slang

a quick, fake move intended to trick someone.

For teachers: a feint or deceptive physical movement intended to mislead an opponent.

- With a clever juke to the left, he left the other player behind.
- His signature juke was so convincing that even experienced defenders struggled to stay on their feet.

### 4. a roadside bar

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect · American English

a small, cheap bar or cafe for dancing, common in the Southern US.

For teachers: a roadside cafe or bar, typically featuring music and dancing; often called a 'juke joint'.

- We stopped at a small juke on the way to Memphis to hear some music.
- The old juke on the edge of town was famous for hosting the best local musicians every weekend.

### 5. music style

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Slang

a fast style of electronic dance music from Chicago.

For teachers: a genre of electronic dance music originating in Chicago, characterized by fast tempos and repetitive samples.

- The DJ played a lot of Chicago juke during his set.
- The evolution of juke into footwork represents a significant chapter in the history of American electronic music.

## Examples

- The player made a quick juke to get past the defender.
- The quarterback performed a sharp juke to the left, leaving the safety behind and opening up a path for the touchdown.
- While the athlete's physical strength was impressive, it was his ability to execute a series of rapid jukes that truly defined his performance against the more experienced team.

---

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.