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

There’s also a rooftop terrace with an open-air cinema, and a private karaoke room for up to 10 people—for a fun night with the whole fam. —Celeste Moure, AFAR Media, 2 May 2025

From getting together with friends for a Koreatown karaoke pregame to enjoying Chinese takeout on your couch, don’t think twice about cracking open a cold Lunar. —Jennifer Chan, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2025

Head to Urban District Market for authentic Asian cuisine and local vendors, plus a karaoke sing-along. —Denise Casalez, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025

Traditional bar activities like trivia, live music, karaoke and speed dating are on the schedule, but some participants are going all out — hosting black-light parties, hot wing challenges, pop-up markets and more. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 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