Poke vs. Tickle — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 21, 2023
Poke means to jab or prod someone or something with one's finger or a sharp object; tickle means to lightly touch or stroke in a way that causes itching and laughter or discomfort.
Difference Between Poke and Tickle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Poking typically doesn’t induce laughter and is often perceived as an annoying or attention-getting action. Tickling, conversely, can be perceived as playful or irritating, often causing involuntary laughter, squirming, and movements, due to the sensation it produces.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
In digital terms, a poke often refers to a feature on social media platforms used to attract someone's attention. In a more figurative sense, to tickle can also mean to appeal amusingly or pleasingly to someone, illustrating the diverse implications of these terms.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
When someone says they poked something, it usually implies a deliberate action, typically with a specified part of the body or an object. When someone mentions tickling, it usually conveys an action that is playful or affectionate, creating a tingling or itching sensation that can be pleasurable or uncomfortable.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
While the essence of poking implies a usually abrupt, pointed contact, the essence of tickling is in its light, playful, and repetitive contact, each inducing distinct physical and emotional responses.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
To poke is essentially to prod or push, usually with something thin or sharp, like a finger or a stick, emphasizing a singular, often abrupt action. Tickle, in contrast, implies a series of light touches, usually with the fingers, inducing laughter or a tingling sensation, due to stimulation of the nerves.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To jab or prod with a finger or a sharp object.
To touch lightly so as to cause laughter or twitching movements.
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Oct 21, 2023
Intent
Often to get attention or as a quick, abrupt action.
Usually to amuse, please, or to produce involuntary movements or laughter.
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Oct 21, 2023
Sensation
Can be sharp, abrupt.
Is light, can be pleasurable or irritating, induces laughter.
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Oct 21, 2023
Response
Can be annoyance or irritation.
Can be laughter, pleasure, or discomfort.
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Oct 21, 2023
Associated Activities
Prodding, jabbing, pushing.
Giggling, squirming, laughing.
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Oct 21, 2023
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Definitions
Poke
To poke is to jab or prod with a finger or object.
She gave him a playful poke in the ribs.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
To tickle can refer to provoking someone to laughter or amusement.
The comedian knew just how to tickle the audience’s sense of humor.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
In digital terms, to poke means to send a notification to get someone’s attention on social media.
I sent him a poke on Facebook to say hello.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
To tickle can also mean to please or excite (someone) pleasurably.
The idea of traveling to Europe really tickles my fancy.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
To poke can mean to make (a hole) in something by prodding or jabbing.
He poked a hole in the box.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
To tickle is to touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements.
She would tickle his feet, making him squirm with laughter.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
To poke can also refer to prying into someone's affairs or personal matters.
I wish she would stop poking around in my business.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
To tickle can also refer to causing an amusing or appealing sensation.
The playful words tickled their spirits, leaving them in high spirits.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
To touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter or twitching movements.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
To make (a hole or pathway, for example) by or as if by prodding, elbowing, or jabbing
I poked my way to the front of the crowd.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
To tease or excite pleasurably; titillate
Suspense that tickles the reader's curiosity.
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Poke
To search or look curiously in a desultory manner
Poked about in the desk.
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Tickle
An itchy feeling resembling the result of tickling.
I have a persistent tickle in my throat.
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Poke
To proceed in a slow or lazy manner; putter
Just poked along all morning.
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Poke
To thrust forward; appear
The child's head poked from under the blankets.
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Tickle
(transitive) To touch repeatedly or stroke delicately in a manner which causes laughter, pleasure and twitching.
He tickled Nancy's tummy, and she started to giggle.
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Tickle
(transitive) To unexpectedly touch or stroke delicately in a manner which causes displeasure or withdrawal.
A stranger tickled Nancy's tummy, causing her to scream in fear.
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Tickle
To feel as if the body part in question is being tickled.
My nose tickles, and I'm going to sneeze!
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Tickle
(transitive) To cause delight or amusement in.
He was tickled to receive such a wonderful gift.
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Tickle
(transitive) To catch fish in the hand (usually in rivers or smaller streams) by manually stimulating the fins.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
A Hawaiian salad or appetizer traditionally consisting of cubed raw fish, often yellowfin tuna, that is marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, and mixed with diced onions, sesame seeds, and ginger.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
To touch lightly, so as to produce a peculiar thrilling sensation, which commonly causes laughter, and a kind of spasm which become dengerous if too long protracted.
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
(figuratively) To rummage; to feel or grope around.
I poked about in the rubble, trying to find my lost keys.
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Tickle
To please; to gratify; to make joyous.
Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw.
Such a natureTickled with good success, disdains the shadowWhich he treads on at noon.
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Tickle
To feel titillation.
He with secret joy thereforeDid tickle inwardly in every vein.
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Poke
(transitive) To put a poke device to prevent leaping or breaking fences on (an animal).
To poke an ox
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Poke
To notify (another user) of activity on social media or an instant messenger.
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Tickle
Liable to change; uncertain; inconstant.
The world is now full tickle, sikerly.
So tickle is the state of earthy things.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
(transitive) To thrust (something) in a particular direction such as the tongue.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
Wavering, or liable to waver and fall at the slightest touch; unstable; easily overthrown.
Thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off.
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Sep 29, 2023
Tickle
Touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
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Tickle
Feel sudden intense sensation or emotion;
He was thrilled by the speed and the roar of the engine
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Poke
(US) A device to prevent an animal from leaping or breaking through fences, consisting of a yoke with a pole inserted, pointed forward.
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Tickle
To tickle is to lightly touch or stroke causing itching and often laughter.
He managed to tickle her funny bone, making her laugh uncontrollably.
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Poke
The storage of a value in a memory address, typically to modify the behaviour of a program or to cheat at a video game.
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Poke
A notification sent to get another user's attention on social media or an instant messenger.
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Poke
(Hawaii) Slices or cubes of raw fish or other raw seafood, mixed with sesame oil, seaweed, sea salt, herbs, spices, or other flavorful ingredients.
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Poke
A large North American herb of the genus Phytolacca (Phytolacca decandra), bearing dark purple juicy berries; - called also garget, pigeon berry, pocan, and pokeweed. The root and berries have emetic and purgative properties, and are used in medicine. The young shoots are sometimes eaten as a substitute for asparagus, and the berries are said to be used in Europe to color wine.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
A contrivance to prevent an animal from leaping or breaking through fences. It consists of a yoke with a pole inserted, pointed forward.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
To thrust or push against or into with anything pointed; hence, to stir up; to excite; as, to poke a fire.
He poked John, and said "Sleepest thou ?"
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
To search; to feel one's way, as in the dark; to grope; as, to poke about.
A man must have poked into Latin and Greek.
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Sep 29, 2023
Poke
Tall coarse perennial American herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous
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Poke
A sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow);
He warned me with a jab with his finger
He made a thrusting motion with his fist
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Poke
Search or inquire in a meddlesome way;
This guy is always nosing around the office
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Poke
Hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument;
The salesman pounded the door knocker
A bible-thumping Southern Baptist
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Poke
To poke can also mean to extend beyond or above a surface.
His foot pokes out from under the blanket.
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Sep 29, 2023
FAQs
What does it mean to poke?
To poke means to jab or prod someone or something, usually with a finger or a sharp object.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
What does tickle imply?
To tickle implies lightly touching or stroking someone to induce laughter or cause a tingling sensation.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
Is tickling always pleasurable?
No, tickling can be pleasurable for some but uncomfortable or irritating for others.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can poking be a way to seek attention?
Yes, poking is often used as a way to attract or seek someone’s attention.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can tickle be used figuratively?
Yes, tickle can be used figuratively, as in "tickled pink," meaning being very pleased or amused.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can tickling be involuntary?
The response to tickling, such as laughter or squirming, is often involuntary.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can a poke be gentle?
While pokes are often perceived as abrupt, they can be gentle, depending on the intent and force applied.
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Oct 21, 2023
Is poking always physical?
No, poking can be non-physical, such as in digital interactions like sending a "poke" on social media platforms.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can you poke with objects other than fingers?
Yes, you can poke with any pointed or protruding object, like a stick or an elbow.
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Oct 21, 2023
Does a poke imply deliberate action?
Typically, yes, a poke usually implies a deliberate action aimed at prodding or jabbing.
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Oct 21, 2023
Is the laughter from tickling genuine?
The laughter induced by tickling is a natural, reflexive response but may not correspond to feelings of amusement or happiness.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can tickling cause discomfort?
Yes, tickling can cause discomfort, especially for those who are highly sensitive to it.
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Oct 21, 2023
What is the purpose of tickling?
Tickling often serves as a playful or affectionate interaction, but the response varies from pleasure to discomfort among individuals.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can a poke be used metaphorically?
Yes, "poke" can be used metaphorically, as in "poking fun at someone," meaning to make fun of someone.
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Oct 21, 2023
Can poking be considered rude?
Depending on the context and the relationship between the people involved, poking can be considered rude or intrusive.
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Oct 21, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
