Karaoke

/ˌkæ.ɹiˈoʊ.ki/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A form of entertainment popular in clubs, at parties, etc, in which individual members of the public sing along to pre-recorded instrumental versions of popular songs, the lyrics of which are displayed for the singer on a screen in time with the music.
  • Grammar: karaoke is listed as noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: do karaoke, karaoke culture, karaoke equipment, karaoke hardware.
  • Useful contrasts: acapella singing, avoid singing, karaoke-free.
  • Usage evidence: We're doing the same old routine: going bar hopping and then to karaoke.

How to use "karaoke"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "karaoke" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "karaoke" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "karaoke" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "karaoke" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "karaoke" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "do karaoke" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "karaoke", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A form of entertainment popular in clubs, at parties, etc, in which individual members of the public sing along to pre-recorded instrumental versions of popular songs, the lyrics of which are displayed for the singer on a screen in time with the music. uncountable

    "The karaoke has been well received by those who frequent the oriental cabaret scene and adopt its particular social behaviors such as conversation, companionship, being seen, and showing off."

  2. 2
    singing popular songs accompanied by a recording of an orchestra (usually in bars or nightclubs) wordnet
  3. 3
    A karaoke session. countable
  4. 4
    A karaoke parlour. countable
  5. 5
    An exercise in which the feet are alternately placed in front of each other while walking sideways to stretch various parts of the lower body and core. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    to perform karaoke intransitive

Synonyms

All synonyms
do karaokekaraoke culturekaraoke equipmentkaraoke hardwarekaraoke performancekaraoke session

Antonyms

acapella singingavoid singingkaraoke-freelive

Example

"We're doing the same old routine: going bar hopping and then to karaoke."

Common questions

What does "karaoke" mean?

A form of entertainment popular in clubs, at parties, etc, in which individual members of the public sing along to pre-recorded instrumental versions of popular songs, the lyrics of which are displayed for the singer on a screen in time with the music.

What is a synonym for "karaoke"?

Common synonyms include: do karaoke, karaoke culture, karaoke equipment, karaoke hardware, karaoke performance, karaoke session.

How do you use "karaoke" in a sentence?

We're doing the same old routine: going bar hopping and then to karaoke.

How do you pronounce "karaoke"?

Pronounced /ˌkæ.ɹiˈoʊ.ki/.

Etymology

Etymology tree Japanese 空 Ancient Greek ὀρχέομαι (orkhéomai) Ancient Greek -τρᾰ (-tră) Ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα (orkhḗstra)bor. Latin orchēstrabor. English orchestrabor. Japanese オーケストラ Japanese カラオケbor. English karaoke Borrowed from Japanese カラオケ (karaoke), from 空(から) (kara, “empty”) + オケ (oke, “orchestra”), a clipping of オーケストラ (ōkesutora), from English orchestra.

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