Definition

1. Verb:

   • To push or jab with a finger, a pointed object, or something long and thin: To make a quick, often sharp, pushing movement, typically to get attention, make a hole, or move something.
   • To make a hole or depression by prodding or piercing: To create an opening or indentation by pushing an object into a surface.
   • To thrust something forward or out: To cause something to protrude or extend from an opening or container.
   • To search or meddle inquisitively: To look into or interfere with something, especially in a nosy or intrusive manner.

2. Noun:

   • A quick jab or prod: A short, sharp push, typically with a finger or a stick.
   • A bag or sack: (Chiefly Southern US & Scotland) A bag or sack, especially one made of paper or plastic.
   • A slow or lazy person: (Informal) Someone who moves or acts slowly; a dawdler.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • She poked me in the arm to get my attention.
  • He used a stick to poke a hole in the ground.
  • Don't poke your head out of the car window while it's moving.
  • He's always poking around in other people's business.

• Noun:

  • He gave the fire a poke with the iron rod.
  • She carried her groceries in a paper poke.
  • Hurry up, you old poke! We're going to be late.

Advanced Usage

• "to poke fun at": To tease or make jokes about someone or something in a mocking way.

  • The comedians poked fun at the politician's speech.

• "to poke one's nose into (something)": To interfere or show unwanted interest in someone else's private affairs.

  • I wish my neighbor would stop poking her nose into my business.

• "to poke along": To move or proceed very slowly.

  • The old truck was just poking along the highway.

Variants and Related Words

• Poker (n): A metal rod used for stirring a fire.
• Poky (adj): (Of a place) uncomfortably small and cramped. (Of a person or action) annoyingly slow.
  • He lives in a poky little apartment.
  • Don't be so poky; we need to leave now.

Synonyms

• Verb: Jab, prod, nudge, thrust, dig, meddle, snoop.
• Noun: Jab, prod, nudge, sack, bag, dawdler.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Poke about/around: To search or look for something in a casual or nosy manner.

  • I was poking around in the attic and found some old photos.

• Poke out: To protrude or stick out from something.

  • The puppy's tongue poked out as it panted.

• Poke through: To manage to be seen or noticed from behind or within something.

  • Sunlight poked through the clouds.

Related Idioms

• "A pig in a poke": Something that is bought or accepted without being seen or examined first, and is therefore of unknown quality.

  • Buying a used car online is like buying a pig in a poke.

• "Slow as a poke": (Informal, Southern US) Extremely slow.

  • This internet connection is slow as a poke.

Noun

1. (boxing) a blow with the fist
   • I gave him a clout on his nose
2. a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
   • he warned me with a jab with his finger
   • he made a thrusting motion with his fist
3. a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
4. someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
5. 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

Verb

1. make a hole by poking
2. hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
   • the salesman pounded the door knocker
   • a bible-thumping Southern Baptist
3. stir by poking
   • poke the embers in the fireplace
4. search or inquire in a meddlesome way
   • This guy is always nosing around the office
5. poke or thrust abruptly
   • he jabbed his finger into her ribs