karaoke

noun

kar·​a·​o·​ke ˌker-ē-ˈō-kē 

ˌka-rē-,

also

kə-ˈrō-kē  ˌkä-rä-ˈō-(ˌ)kā 

: a device that plays instrumental accompaniments for a selection of songs to which the user sings along and that records the user's singing with the music

a karaoke machine

also : a form of entertainment involving the use of such a device (as in a bar)

Examples of karaoke in a Sentence

That bar has karaoke on Saturday night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Disappointed, the 22-year-old decided to throw her own slumber party with friends complete with drinks, games and karaoke. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

The only song in the whole musical that regularly gets done for karaoke. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 June 2025

Now, instead of customers belting out their favorite songs at Friday karaoke, the establishment is shuttered while city officials prepare for a day of widespread protests against Trump administration policies Saturday. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025

Guests are invited to wear middle school formal attire and sing emo karaoke. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from kara empty + ōke, short for ōkesutora orchestra

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for karaoke

• cloche
• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• smoky

Kids Definition

karaoke

noun

kar·​a·​o·​ke ˌkar-ē-ˌō-kē  kə-ˈrō-kē 

: a device that plays music to which the user sings along and that records the user's singing with the music