What does moke mean?
Moke is a chiefly British dialect noun meaning a stupid or foolish person. It can also be used, especially in older or regional speech, for someone regarded as contemptible or disreputable. The word is informal and dialectal, not part of standard modern English, so it may sound quaint, humorous, or deliberately archaic in a literary or historical setting. In dialogue, it is often used as an insult: someone may be called a moke for making a foolish mistake. Its exact force depends on context and speaker; it can be teasing rather than seriously hostile. Because the term is regional and relatively uncommon, it is especially useful in dialect writing or when discussing the vocabulary of a particular area of Britain. In general modern usage, more familiar alternatives such as fool, idiot, or simpleton are usually more appropriate.
nounA stupid or foolish person. In some dialects, it can refer to a contemptible or disreputable person.
- A stupid or foolish person, especially in dialectal speech.
- A contemptible or disreputable person in some regional usages.
"They called him a moke for forgetting the password twice."
"No need to be a moke: read the instructions carefully."
"The old play uses the word 'moke' to describe a foolish but harmless villager."
The plural is grammatical but uncommon because the word is chiefly dialectal and old-fashioned.
"The play portrays two mokes who know little about the town."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does moke come from?
The word moke is recorded in dialectal English and its precise origin is uncertain. It appears in British regional usage, with older attestations associated especially with northern and other dialect traditions. Its history and relationship to other words cannot be stated confidently enough to identify a definite root or cognate group.
How moke is actually used
This is dialectal and somewhat old-fashioned rather than standard modern British or American English. It can sound mildly insulting, though its severity varies by region and context.