What does "poker" mean?
A metal rod, generally of wrought iron, for adjusting the burning logs or coals in a fire; a firestick.
Poker
/ˈpoʊkɚ/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A metal rod, generally of wrought iron, for adjusting the burning logs or coals in a fire; a firestick.
- Grammar: poker is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: andiron, blackjack, bridge, card game.
- Usage evidence: A flush is a poker hand where all five cards are of the same suit.
How to use "poker"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "poker" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- 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 "poker" 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 "poker" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "poker" 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 "poker" is acting as noun, verb, slang 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 "andiron" 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 "poker", 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 A metal rod, generally of wrought iron, for adjusting the burning logs or coals in a fire; a firestick.
- 2 Any of various card games in which, following each of one or more rounds of dealing or revealing cards, the players in sequence make tactical bets or drop out, the bets forming a pool to be taken either by the sole remaining player or, after all rounds and bets have been completed, by those remaining players who hold a superior hand according to a standard ranking of hand values for the game. countable, uncountable
"As mesmerizing as it is to watch Kristen Kish whip up bacon and cinnamon waffles with boysenberry and strawberry jam, imagine playing poker with Hosea Rosenberg."
- 3 Any imagined frightful object, especially one supposed to haunt the darkness; a bugbear. US, colloquial
"The very leaves on the horse-chesnuts[…]cling to the bough as if old poker was coming to take them away."
- 4 any of various card games in which players bet that they hold the highest-ranking hand wordnet
- 5 A tool like a soldering iron for making poker drawings. historical
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 All the four cards of the same rank. countable, uncountable
- 7 fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire wordnet
- 8 One who pokes.
"The guy next to him poked him in the ribs and said, “Check out the bazongas on this one!” Lee pivoted toward the rib poker and found himself looking straight into the face of Romeo Bouchard."
- 9 The scoring of four goals by a player in one match. countable, rare, uncountable
"Greaves hit three hat-tricks, two pokers and five goals against West Brom on his way to a record-setting 41 league goals."
- 10 A kind of duck, the pochard.
- 11 A knife. Multicultural-London-English, slang
"Key sense with the super-soaker Longest poker, leave man stressed like yoga"
Verb
- 1 To poke with a utensil such as a poker or needle. transitive
"The King continued pokering the fire with his back to the door, and took no notice of Lord Chesterfield."
- 2 To play poker.
"Then we went to Mead's and pokered until morning."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"A flush is a poker hand where all five cards are of the same suit."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "poker"?
Common synonyms include: andiron, blackjack, bridge, card game, chain, coal tongs.
How do you use "poker" in a sentence?
A flush is a poker hand where all five cards are of the same suit.
How do you pronounce "poker"?
Pronounced /ˈpoʊkɚ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From poke + -er.
Etymology 2
American English, perhaps from first element of German Pochspiel, from German pochen, perhaps from French poque. First appeared in the 19th century.
Etymology 3
Compare Danish pokker (“the deuce, devil”), and English puck.