Karaoke is singing along to recorded music that has the vocals removed, usually while reading lyrics displayed on a screen. The word comes from Japanese: kara means “empty” and oke is short for “orchestra,” so it literally means “empty orchestra.”

In karaoke, you become the singer while a backing track provides all the instruments. Karaoke machines show the lyrics on a screen, often highlighting each word as it's time to sing it, so you know exactly when to come in. People do karaoke at special karaoke bars, at parties, or even at home with karaoke machines or apps.

Karaoke became popular in Japan in the 1970s and spread around the world. Some people take it very seriously, practicing their favorite songs and performing with real skill. Others just sing for fun, not worrying whether they hit every note perfectly. The best karaoke performances often come from people who sing with confidence and enthusiasm, even if their voice isn't perfect.

When you go to a karaoke venue, you typically choose a song from a huge catalog, wait for your turn, and then perform it for whoever's listening. It takes courage to sing in front of others, which is why finishing a karaoke song often earns applause regardless of how well you sang.