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.