Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deliberately impassive in manner: Having a face that shows no emotion or reaction, especially to conceal one's thoughts or feelings, similar to the expression of a poker player during a game.
   • Deadpan: Characterized by a deliberately expressionless face or manner, often used in humor or serious situations.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The negotiator remained poker-faced throughout the tense discussion.
  • She told the joke with a perfectly poker-faced delivery, making it even funnier.
  • Despite the shocking news, he kept a poker-faced expression.

Advanced Usage

• "to be poker-faced": to maintain a deliberately blank or emotionless expression.
  • You have to be poker-faced when playing cards to avoid giving away your hand.
• "a poker-faced stare": a look that is intentionally devoid of emotion.
  • He met the accusation with a poker-faced stare.

Variants and Related Words

• Poker face (n): An impassive expression that conceals one's true feelings.
  • She maintained a perfect poker face during the interrogation.

Synonyms

• Impassive: Not feeling or showing emotion.
• Deadpan: Deliberately impassive or expressionless, especially when speaking humorously.
• Expressionless: Lacking expression; inscrutable.
• Stoic: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings or complaining.

Related Phrases

• "Keep a straight face": To manage not to laugh or smile.
  • It was hard to keep a straight face during his silly performance.
• "Stone-faced": Showing no emotion; having a face like stone.
  • The guard was stone-faced and refused to answer.

Related Idioms

• "A face like a mask": A face that shows no emotion.
  • Throughout the trial, the defendant had a face like a mask.
• "To give nothing away": To reveal no information or emotion.
  • Her poker-faced demeanor gave nothing away about her decision.

Adjective

1. deliberately impassive in manner
   • deadpan humor
   • his face remained expressionless as the verdict was read