joking
[ˈdʒowkɪŋ]
A joke is a funny or playful comment meant to make people laugh.
When someone says "I was joking," they usually mean that what they said wasn't true and shouldn't be taken seriously. They might say something silly, absurd, or ridiculous just for fun. But if you're not used to it, you can sometimes get confused and think they really mean it. For example, imagine someone tells you their favorite food is Brussels sprouts, and when you laugh, they say "Just kidding, I hate them!" That's an example of joking.
How common is "joking"?
Word joking is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
verb
To do or say something for amusement rather than seriously.
Example: I didn’t mean what I said — I was only joking.
noun
The act of telling or engaging in jokes.
Real examples of "joking" in context
