punch line
/ˈpʌntʃˌlaɪn/ noun
Forms punch lines punchline punch-line
- noun The final part of a joke; the word, sentence, or exchange of sentences that is intended to be funny and provokes laughter from the listeners. “That was quite a build-up for such a puny punch line.”
- noun (by extension) The butt of a joke; laughing stock.
- noun (by extension) A final, concluding statement that an explanation has been leading up to; a conclusion.
Synonyms
Etymology
1910s, probably American. It was probably meant to be likened to a quick, sharp punch.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “punch line”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details