a great joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great joke" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a humorous statement or story that is particularly funny or well-received. Example: "Everyone at the party was laughing; it truly was a great joke that made the evening memorable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed a great joke.

The New York Times - Books

It's a great joke.

The New York Times - Magazine

The juxtaposition is a great joke.

The New York Times

"Simone" starts with a great joke.

The New York Times

STEVE COLL: That was, Rebecca, a great joke, yes?

The New Yorker

Which is why 'Take my wife, please' is such a great joke.

The New York Times - Magazine

I remember at Wolves when our right-back Geoff Palmer said he'd heard a great joke.

Independent

Dad: I've got a great joke about a pizza Me: What is it?

Independent

He says, "Gitya, I heard a great joke the other day, but it's about Avars.

The New York Times

When they met in the Mayflower a few nights later, it was a great joke.

The New Yorker

A curious accident leads to a great joke and a huge laugh.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a joke, consider the specific quality that makes it "great". Is it the cleverness, the unexpected twist, or the delivery? Using more descriptive adjectives can enhance your writing.

Common error

While "great" is a positive adjective, relying on it too often can make your writing sound bland. Try replacing it with more specific and vivid alternatives like "hilarious", "brilliant", or "remarkable" to add more nuance to your descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great joke" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "joke". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. Examples found by Ludwig show it functioning as the object of a verb (e.g., "tell a great joke") or as a descriptive element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great joke" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a particularly amusing or clever joke. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, it is versatile enough for various informal contexts. However, as recommended, one should aim for more specific adjectives other than "great" to enhance writing. Related phrases, such as "a hilarious joke" or "a brilliant joke", can provide more vivid descriptions. Overall, "a great joke" is an acceptable and frequently used phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hilarious joke

Replaces "great" with "hilarious", emphasizing the funniness of the joke.

a very funny joke

Uses "very funny" instead of "great" to describe the joke.

a side-splitting joke

Emphasizes the intensity of laughter induced by the joke.

an excellent joke

Replaces "great" with a more formal "excellent".

a remarkable joke

Indicates that the joke is noteworthy or unusual.

a brilliant joke

Highlights the cleverness or ingenuity of the joke.

a top-notch joke

Emphasizes the high quality of the joke.

a rib-tickling joke

Suggests the joke is amusing and causes laughter.

a classic joke

Implies the joke is well-known and has stood the test of time.

a legendary joke

Exaggerates the joke's fame or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a great joke" in a sentence?

You can use "a great joke" to describe a humorous anecdote. For example: "He told "a great joke" at the party, and everyone laughed."

What can I say instead of "a great joke"?

You can use alternatives like "a hilarious joke", "a very funny joke", or "a brilliant joke" depending on the specific quality you want to emphasize.

Is it redundant to say "a great joke"?

While "joke" inherently implies humor, using "a great joke" emphasizes that the joke is particularly funny or well-received. It's not necessarily redundant if you want to convey a higher degree of amusement or cleverness.

What's the difference between "a good joke" and "a great joke"?

"A good joke" implies that the joke is satisfactory or amusing. "A great joke", on the other hand, suggests that the joke is exceptionally funny, clever, or memorable. The latter conveys a stronger positive sentiment.