poke

poke — verb

1. to press or drive a finger or narrow object into a person or thing with a short,

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to press or drive a finger or narrow object into a person or thing with a short, sudden movement

Example

Noah poked the soft cake to see if it was ready.

poke + object to test something

A little boy poked his sister in the arm during class.

poke + someone + in + body part

Common collocations
  • poke someone in the arm
  • poke the cake
  • poke a straw through the lid
  • poke holes in a box
  • gently poke
Synonyms
  • prod

    often suggests a deliberate push to make someone move or react

  • jab

    is stronger and sharper, and may sound more painful

  • nudge

    is usually gentler and more friendly

Grammar Patterns

poke + person/thing

poke + someone + in + body part

poke + object + through + noun

poke + holes + in + something

Usage Note

Often followed by the place touched, as in 'poke someone in the ribs' or 'poke him in the arm'. It can also take a tool or result object, as in 'poke a straw through the lid' or 'poke holes in the box'.

Common Mistakes

She poked on my shoulder.
She poked my shoulder.
poke usually takes a direct object without 'on'.

2. to stick out, or make part of something stick out, so that it can be seen beyond

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to stick out, or make part of something stick out, so that it can be seen beyond a cover, edge, or opening

Example

A red sock was poking out of Leo's school bag.

poke out of + noun

Thin tree roots poked through the dry ground after the storm.

poke through + noun

Common collocations
  • poke out of a bag
  • poke through the ground
  • poke from under a cushion
  • poke your head through
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • hide

    keeps the thing out of sight

  • tuck in

    means pushing the loose part back inside

Grammar Patterns

poke out of + noun

poke through + noun

poke from under + noun

poke + body part + through + noun

Usage Note

Usually used with out of, through, from under, or up through. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (PUSH): sense 1 describes the pushing action, while this sense describes a part becoming visible beyond something else.

Common Mistakes

A string poked outside the bag.
A string poked out of the bag.
this sense normally uses a particle and preposition such as 'out of' or 'through'.

3. to use a social-media feature that sends another user a small hello or playful s

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to use a social-media feature that sends another user a small hello or playful signal online

Example

On her birthday, Sara's old classmate poked her on Facebook.

poke + person + on social media

After months offline, Ben logged in and poked three college friends.

poke + user object

Common collocations
  • poke a friend
  • poke someone on Facebook
  • send a poke
  • poke each other
Synonyms
  • message

    is broader and usually carries real content, not just a signal

  • ping

    is modern informal tech language for sending a quick contact

  • nudge

    can be used online, but often suggests a reminder rather than a greeting

Grammar Patterns

poke + user

poke + friend + on + platform

Usage Note

Mainly used for older social-media features such as Facebook's poke button. Much less common than message, text, or send a DM.

Common Mistakes

I poked a message to Nina.
I poked Nina.
in this sense, the person is the object, not the message.
Phrasal verbs

poke about

phrasal verb

To search or look around a place, often by moving things.

The detective poked about in the dusty attic.

Sara poked about the kitchen looking for a snack.

poke around

phrasal verb

To explore or examine a place or area, often in a casual way.

We poked around the old bookstore for an hour.

Aiden poked around the garden to find his lost key.

poke at

phrasal verb

To push something with a finger or a pointed object, often repeatedly.

The child poked at the cake with a fork.

Diego poked at the fire with a stick.

Idioms

poke fun at somebody/something

idiom

To make jokes about someone or something in a way that is not kind.

The comedian poked fun at the politician's speech.

Maya poked fun at her brother's new haircut.

poke/stick your nose into something

idiom

To get involved in a situation that does not concern you.

My neighbor keeps poking her nose into my private life.

Why do you always stick your nose into our arguments?

poke — noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For the main physical sense, poke is the broad everyday word for pressing a finger or narrow object into someone or something. Prod is close, but it often suggests doing this to make someone move, wake up, or pay attention. Jab is sharper and stronger, so it often sounds painful or angry. Nudge is gentler and usually done with care or friendliness, often by an elbow or hand. Tap is lighter still and does not usually suggest pushing into the surface. Compare: 'Mia poked the cake with a fork,' 'The farmer prodded the sheep forward,' 'The boy jabbed the paper with a pencil,' and 'Lena nudged her friend to share the joke.'

prod ↗jabnudge ↗tap ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • poke button
  • poke bowl
  • poke someone
  • a poke in the ribs

Adverbs

  • gently poke
  • playfully poke
  • sharply poke

Phrases

  • give someone a poke
  • poke someone in the arm
  • poke your head through the door
  • a sock poking out of a bag

Prepositions

  • poke at
  • poke through
  • poke out of
  • poke from under