juke-box

A customer selects a song on the juke-box in the diner.

Definition

Noun: A coin-operated machine that plays selected music automatically, typically found in bars, diners, and entertainment venues. It contains a record player or digital system and a selection mechanism that allows users to choose songs from a visible list.

Usage Examples

• (A machine that plays music when paid.)
• (A vintage music-playing machine.)
• (The machine was not operating.)

Advanced Usage

• "Juke-box musical": A stage or film production that uses pre-existing popular songs as its score, often with a narrative connecting them.
  • "Mamma Mia!" is a juke-box musical featuring ABBA's songs. (A musical built around existing hit songs.)

Variants and Related Words

• Juke (noun): A small, informal establishment serving food and drink, often with a juke-box (short for "juke joint").
  • They stopped at a roadside juke for a cold drink. (A small bar or diner.)
• Juke (verb): To fake out or deceive an opponent in sports, especially in American football; unrelated to the juke-box.
  • The player juked the defender and ran for a touchdown. (He faked a move.)

Synonyms

• Record player: A device for playing vinyl records (general term).
• Music machine: A broad term for any device that plays music automatically.

Related Idioms

• "Like a juke-box": Describing something that plays a predictable or repetitive selection of songs or phrases.
  • He repeats the same stories like a juke-box. (He is monotonous or predictable.)