Singing without a live orchestra or band. Originally meaning "without orchestra," it is a combination of Japanese "kara" meaning "empty/bare-handed" as in "karate", and the "okee" sound from the first syllable of "orchestra" as pronounced by Japanese.
The guy who thought up karaoke created a bar owner's dream, because as patrons provide their own entertainment by singing along with a machine, management saves a fortune by not hiring talented musicians.
by Joe Rodolico February 9, 2007
A kind of backwards talent contest where the aim is to sing to sing other peoples songs as badly as possible.
The true losers in karaoke are the people who try hardest.
The true losers in karaoke are the people who try hardest.
by Jarvis1000 August 16, 2005
Karaoke is pronounced Karah-Okay, not Cary-Okey.
by Ookpick GooseFrubba August 20, 2005
The party really started when all the old filipino ladies started singing "Top of the World" on karaoke.
by s.a.m. August 20, 2005
An event that allows you to see that you don't know a song as well as you thought you did, esp. for verses.
Even though the words were right there on the screen, I just couldn't figure out how to sing "Dancing Queen" for karaoke.
by Rusty Spell January 25, 2005
A painful form of 'entertainment' only to be attempted when very, very, very drunk. (see also tribute band)
by black flag June 3, 2004