poke

/poʊk/

/pəʊk/

Other forms: poked; poking; pokes

A poke is a jab or a sharp push, usually with something thin or pointed, like a finger, a stick, or even an elbow.

The main idea behind a poke is a prodding action that creates a depression or hole, as when you poke someone in the ribs with your finger. It can also mean a quick, sharp movement, like when a turtle pokes its head out of its shell. Still, the word often has a less-than-pleasant feeling to it, like something not really dangerous but still annoying. We often say a tolerable experience is "better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick." It can also take on a more figurative meaning — when you "poke your nose into someone else's business," it means that you are intruding in another's private matters.

Definitions of poke

1. verb

   poke or thrust abruptly
   synonyms: dig, jab, prod, stab

   type of:

   thrust

   push forcefully
2. verb

   hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
   synonyms: pound, thump

   type of:

   hit

   deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument
3. verb

   stir by poking
   “poke the embers in the fireplace”

   type of:

   agitate, commove, disturb, raise up, shake up, stir up, vex

   change the arrangement or position of
4. verb

   make a hole by poking
   type of:

   pierce

   make a hole into
5. noun

   a sharp hand gesture
   synonyms: jab, jabbing, poking, thrust, thrusting

   type of:

   gesture

   motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
6. noun

   (boxing) a blow with the fist
   synonyms: biff, clout, lick, punch, slug

   types:

   counter, counterpunch, parry

   a return punch (especially by a boxer)

   KO punch, Sunday punch, haymaker, knockout punch

   a hard punch that renders the opponent unable to continue boxing

   hook

   a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent

   jab

   a quick short straight punch

   rabbit punch

   a short chopping blow to the back of the neck

   sucker punch

   an unexpected punch

   roundhouse

   a hook delivered with an exaggerated swing

   type of:

   blow, buffet

   a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
7. verb

   search or inquire in a meddlesome way
   synonyms: horn in, intrude, nose, pry

   type of:

   look, search

   search or seek
8. noun

   tall coarse perennial American herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous
   synonyms: Phytolacca americana, garget, pigeon berry, scoke

   type of:

   pokeweed

   perennial of the genus Phytolacca
9. noun

   someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
   synonyms: dawdler, drone, laggard, lagger, trailer

   types:

   lingerer, loiterer

   someone who lingers aimlessly in or about a place

   plodder, slowcoach, slowpoke, stick-in-the-mud

   someone who moves slowly

   potterer, putterer

   a person who putters about

   straggler, strayer

   someone who strays or falls behind

   type of:

   bum, do-nothing, idler, layabout, loafer

   person who does no work
10. noun

    a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
    synonyms: carrier bag, paper bag, sack

    types:

    doggie bag, doggy bag

    a bag for food that a customer did not eat at a restaurant; the transparent pretense is that the food is taken home to feed the customer's dog

    grocery bag

    a sack for holding customer's groceries

    type of:

    bag

    a flexible container with a single opening