poker-faced

See also: pokerfaced and poker faced

English

Alternative forms

• poker faced, pokerfaced

Etymology

From the attitude necessary in the game of poker, since one is ill-advised to reveal delight at being dealt a winning hand lest other players decline to bet (or contrariwise, show disappointment at a poor hand if one is inclined to bluff).

Adjective

poker-faced (comparative more poker-faced, superlative most poker-faced)

1. Wearing a poker face: studiously neutral in facial expression; giving nothing away.

   John, in his most poker-faced manner, continued to explain the rules.

   Synonyms: deadpan, expressionless, unexpressive, impassive

See also

• po-faced

Further reading

• “poker-faced”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.