Definition

Noun: 1. A form of entertainment in which people sing popular songs over a pre-recorded backing track: The word "karaoke" refers to the activity or the equipment used for singing along to the instrumental version of a song, with the lyrics typically displayed on a screen. It is a popular social activity, often found in bars, nightclubs, or private parties.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We went to a bar for some karaoke on Friday night.
  • He is surprisingly good at karaoke and knows all the lyrics.
  • The company party featured a karaoke machine in the corner.

Advanced Usage

• "to do karaoke": This is the standard verb phrase used to describe participating in the activity.
  • Do you want to do karaoke with us later?
• "karaoke night": A specific event, often at a venue, dedicated to this activity.
  • The pub hosts a popular karaoke night every Thursday.

Variants and Related Words

• Karaoke bar (n): An establishment whose main attraction is providing karaoke equipment and space for patrons.
  • Let's meet at the new karaoke bar downtown.
• Karaoke machine (n): The electronic device that plays the backing tracks and displays the lyrics.
  • They bought a home karaoke machine for family gatherings.

Synonyms

• Sing-along: While similar, a "sing-along" often implies a group singing together, sometimes without a backing track or with live accompaniment, whereas "karaoke" specifically involves a pre-recorded instrumental track and is typically performed by individuals.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To murder a song (at karaoke)": A humorous, informal idiom meaning to sing a song very poorly.
  • I'm going to get up there and murder this next song, so be prepared!

Noun

1. singing popular songs accompanied by a recording of an orchestra (usually in bars or nightclubs)