poke meaning and definition

POKE noun

Definition of poke (noun)

1. tall coarse perennial American herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous
   • synonyms: garget, Phytolacca americana, pigeon berry, scoke
2. someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
   • synonyms: dawdler, drone, laggard, lagger, trailer
3. a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
   • synonyms: carrier bag, paper bag, sack
4. a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
   • "he warned me with a jab with his finger"; "he made a thrusting motion with his fist"
   • synonyms: jab, jabbing, poking, thrust, thrusting
5. (boxing) a blow with the fist
   • "I gave him a clout on his nose"
   • synonyms: biff, clout, lick, punch, slug

POKE verb

Definition of poke (verb)

1. poke or thrust abruptly
   • "he jabbed his finger into her ribs"
   • synonyms: dig, jab, prod, stab
2. search or inquire in a meddlesome way
   • "This guy is always nosing around the office"
   • synonyms: horn in, intrude, nose, pry
3. stir by poking
   • "poke the embers in the fireplace"
4. hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
   • "the salesman pounded the door knocker"; "a bible-thumping Southern Baptist"
   • synonyms: pound, thump
5. make a hole by poking