slight joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that is minor or not very serious in nature. Example: "I made a slight joke about the weather, hoping to lighten the mood during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's a little sweet slight joke, a tender joke.

The New York Times - Arts

It is a slight joke about a large ballerina and her small partner.

The New York Times

Safari suits have always been a slight joke, worn by older men who wanted to look casual – yes, it says big shot or a loser".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This slight joke is a tutorial on star power to the youths trying to occupy the grown-up space that comes easily to Danny and Rusty.

The New York Times

Would Mona Lisa still be a mystery if da Vinci had told an interviewer 'There was a girl in front of me, I told a slight joke and she smiled.. '?  .

Vice

Appreciate computers and think about how life would be like without them Go to honoring events for Computer Learning Month Study interesting topics on the computer at home Say "Happy Computer Learning Month! " to a friend or family member for a slight joke.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"When people care, even the slightest joke will get a big laugh, for they'll be so caught up in what's going on," he told Playboy.

The New Yorker

It was funny, because what started out to be a little joke, a little slight, turned out to be [big] and for that first year [after the meme], it was like the most popular YouTube, Vine video of 2015.

Huffington Post

I saw him recently and it was the same old in-jokes, slight competitiveness on silly things.

The Guardian - Music

mjwilko86 on Twitter:  "This ref loves a card, he might be getting one from Mancini... ........ JamesSAwatson on Twitter:  "These Porto players are a joke, slightest contact and they're on the floor".

BBC

But 28 years after the publication of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's slim graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke, this slight, dated story – which Moore has since disowned – is still being celebrated, adapted and retold.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight joke" to downplay the significance of a humorous comment or situation. It's effective when you want to avoid overstating the humor or suggesting it's overly important.

Common error

While "slight joke" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated terms like "subtle humor" or "gentle ribbing" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight joke" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "slight" modifies the noun "joke". It's used to describe a joke that is not significant or serious. Ludwig AI also confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Wiki

16.66%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight joke" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe a joke that is minor or not particularly serious. While it appears in various contexts, including news and media, it's best suited for neutral to informal situations. For more formal settings, alternatives like "subtle humor" may be more appropriate. It's a useful phrase for downplaying the significance of a humorous comment, ensuring it doesn't come across as overstated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor jest

Replaces "joke" with "jest" and "slight" with "minor", both implying a small degree of amusement.

small gag

Uses "gag" instead of "joke", suggesting a brief and lighthearted attempt at humor, while "small" substitutes "slight".

harmless quip

Replaces "joke" with "quip", implying a witty remark, and "slight" with "harmless", emphasizing its non-offensive nature.

gentle ribbing

Implies a teasing and lighthearted manner, focusing on the mild nature of the teasing.

subtle jest

Emphasizes the understated nature of the humor, replacing "slight" with "subtle".

mild jest

Similar to "minor jest", but uses "mild" to describe the intensity.

inconsequential joke

Highlights the lack of importance or impact of the joke.

trivial wisecrack

Uses "wisecrack" to describe a smart or sarcastic remark, and "trivial" to indicate its lack of significance.

lighthearted prank

Emphasizes the playful and cheerful nature of the joke, using "prank" to suggest a trick or practical joke.

fleeting funny remark

Highlights the brief and amusing nature of the comment.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight joke" to describe a minor or not very serious joke. For example, "He made a "slight joke" about the weather to break the ice."

What is the difference between "slight joke" and "big joke"?

"Slight joke" refers to a small or minor joke, whereas "big joke" implies a more significant or elaborate joke.

What can I say instead of "slight joke"?

Alternatives to "slight joke" include "minor jest", "small gag", or "harmless quip", depending on the context.

Is "slight joke" formal or informal?

"Slight joke" is generally considered neutral to informal. In more formal contexts, consider using more sophisticated terms.