toke
Very low (in formal contexts); Medium (in slang/subcultural contexts).Informal, slang, potentially taboo depending on context. Associated with drug culture. Not used in formal writing.
Definition
Meaning
To inhale smoke from a marijuana cigarette or pipe.
A single inhalation of marijuana smoke; also used in general slang to mean taking any drug through inhalation. More rarely, as an alternative spelling of 'toke' meaning a small amount of something, though this is archaic or dialectal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb, but can be used as a noun to refer to the act itself ('take a toke'). The term is inherently linked to cannabis use. In non-drug-related historical contexts, 'toke' can be a variant of 'took' (past tense of take) in certain dialects or archaic usage, but this is extremely rare today.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core meaning (inhaling marijuana) is identical in both varieties. American English has a slightly higher frequency due to wider pop culture dissemination (e.g., stoner films). British English usage is equally common within the relevant subcultures.
Connotations
In both, strongly connotes cannabis culture. It is not a neutral term for smoking in general.
Frequency
Equally rare in standard, polite conversation in both varieties. Its frequency is confined to specific social and cultural contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] tokes (on [Object])[Subject] takes/has a toke (of/on [Object])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “toke up (to prepare and smoke marijuana)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in specific sociological or cultural studies discussing drug use.
Everyday
Only in very informal settings among peers where the topic is acceptable.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of forensic or pharmacological reports referencing slang.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He offered to toke on the spliff.
- They were toking in the park before the gig.
American English
- She took a moment to toke from the vape pen.
- Dude, are you gonna toke or what?
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival use)
American English
- (No standard adjectival use)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Word not suitable for A2 level)
- (Word not typically introduced at B1)
- He passed me the joint so I could have a toke.
- Taking a deep toke, he coughed slightly.
- The documentary explored the ritual of sharing a toke within certain subcultures.
- She declined the offered toke, citing personal preference.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TOKE' rhymes with 'SMOKE' – it's a specific kind of smoking.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS INGESTION (specifically, inhaling a substance is taking it into the body).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как общий глагол 'курить' (to smoke). Это специфический сленг только для курения марихуаны.
- Не путать с 'toke' как диалектной формой прош. времени от 'take'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to smoking tobacco. (Incorrect: 'He toked a cigarette.')
- Using it in formal writing.
- Spelling it as 'tooke'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'toke' be MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively informal slang associated with cannabis use.
No, that would be incorrect and sound very odd to a native speaker. Use 'smoke', 'puff', or 'drag' for tobacco.
It is not common in general, polite everyday conversation. Its use is almost entirely confined to discussions about or within cannabis culture.
It is believed to have originated in the 1950s American slang, possibly a variant of 'take' in the sense of taking a puff.