noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:pō'kē
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈpəʊki/
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with (Received Pronunciation) -əʊki
homophone: pokey
1
noun
Meaning 1
Synonym of poker machine, an electronic game of chance played for money, especially slot machines.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Australia, New-Zealand, in-plural, slang
Examples
2006, author not known, Sydney City Guide, Lonely Planet, page 148, In reality, the cheap beer and walls of pokies attract anyone and everyone.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: poker machine
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Any of several species of arboreal tarantula in the genus Poecilotheria.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From clipping of poker machine + -ie (“diminutive suffix”).
Shortening of a mispronunciation of genus name Poecilotheria