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

The New York natives teamed up on the mic during a karaoke night in their hometown, serenading a small crowd of onlookers with their vocals. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 13 Feb. 2025

One of those fans appeared to say the same phrase when he was featured on the Jumbotron during a karaoke segment. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025

Before things get going, the 6 God took advantage of his trip down under by warming up his vocals with a karaoke session on Friday (Jan. 31). —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2025

Open mics and karaoke are part of the tight end's vibe. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 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