What does jokey mean?
Jokey means humorous, playful, or intended as a joke. It commonly describes remarks, exchanges, messages, and behaviour that use wit or teasing to create amusement or defuse tension. A jokey person is usually understood to be friendly and good-humoured rather than dishonest or trivial, though the adjective can also imply that a subject is being treated lightly. The word is used in everyday British and American English and appears in expressions such as “a jokey remark,” “jokey banter,” and “in a jokey manner.” It is especially useful when discussing the social effect of humour: a playful comment can establish rapport, interrupt an awkward silence, or make serious instructions more approachable. Nevertheless, language that is merely amusing may not suit a genuinely serious situation, so context determines whether “jokey” signals warmth and wit or insufficient seriousness.
adjectiveCharacterized by jokes or teasing; intended to be amusing. It may also describe a person who behaves in a playful, humorous, or good-humoured way.
- Intended to be amusing or playfully humorous.
- Behaving in a teasing, good-humoured, or unserious manner.
"He answered her serious question with a jokey remark that immediately lightened the mood."
"Her jokey comment helped ease the tension in the crowded waiting room."
"Although he spoke in a jokey manner, the warning in his message was serious."
“Jokey” can make even a tense moment bearable: one well-timed jokey remark may do more than a serious explanation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jokey come from?
“Jokey” was formed from “joke” with the adjective-forming suffix -y. The noun “joke” entered English through French and ultimately derives from the Latin word jocus, meaning “joke” or “jest.” Several related English words, including “jocular” and the now archaic “jocose,” continue to reflect this Latin ancestry.
Related word forms
How jokey is actually used
The adjective is common in both British and American English. It can suggest gentle teasing or good-natured humour, but it is usually inappropriate for remarks that are cruel, offensive, or intended to evade a serious matter.
Easily confused with jokey
“Joking” describes the act of telling jokes or behaving humorously, whereas “jokey” describes something or someone characterized by humour or playfulness.