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Glite Dictionary
joking

joking

2 1.2
Meant to be funny, not serious
  • adjective
  • /ˈdʒoʊkɪŋ/
translation icon : bromista
  • Yes, I know you're joking, but it hurts my feelings.

Kind of idea even for joking purposes and so on.

Examples

  • I thought he was joking but he was so serious.

  • And I'm only half joking when I say mind numbing.

  • Men should be able to take that kind of joking on the one hand.

  • I actually am starting to wonder, joking aside, whether he needs help.

  • But I mean, all joking aside, as far as anyone knows, it's safe.

  • This sounds like you you're joking, but I know you're serious.

  • WELL, I WAS ONLY JOKING, JACQUES.

    The Good Heart (2009)

  • YOU MUST BE JOKING.

    The Avengers (1998)

  • YOU'RE JOKING, RIGHT?

    The Sunchaser (1996)

  • His joking manner always lightens the mood during serious meetings.

Synonyms

funny
vsjoking
∞ 1.0

Causing people to laugh or smile

is meant to be playful rather than simply provoking amused reactions
comic
vsjoking
289 1.9

Funny and meant to make people laugh

is intended as playful in ordinary situations rather than formal staged entertainment
humorous
vsjoking
76 1.6

Funny in a way that makes people laugh

is intended playfully rather than only causing laughter without playful aim
comedic
vsjoking
34 3.7

About being funny and making people laugh

is playful in everyday intent rather than referring to professional staged laughter
jokey
vsjoking
  • Informal
6 3.9

Said or done to be funny rather than serious

is intended to be playful rather than merely casual or flippant
jocular
vsjoking
3 6.8

Playful and friendly in a joking way

is about intended playful amusement rather than simply a usual personality trait
jesting
vsjoking
4.2

Saying things to be funny and acting playful to make people laugh

is intended as playful and amusing rather than a lasting personal trait
jocose
vsjoking
  • Formal
8.7

Playful and joking to make people laugh

is meant to be playful and amusing rather than serious or formal
bantering
vsjoking
  • Informal
5.7

Friendly teasing that makes people laugh

is playful in purpose but does not focus on teasing others

Antonyms

serious
452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

solemn
  • Formal
92 4.7

Very serious and formal in a way that shows no humor

Idioms

just joking
  • Informal
13 3.7

Said to show something is funny and not serious

How Playful

jocular
3 6.8
joking
2 1.2
lighthearted
17 3.7

Surface Forms

joking positive

Morphology

joking = joke (transparent) = joke + ing

Standard adjectival/present-participle formation from the verb 'joke', so the meaning is directly derived from 'joke'.

Etymology

The word joking comes from the old Latin word jocus, which means 'jest' or 'fun'. It is the same root as joke, so to be joking is to speak in a playful, humorous way that makes people laugh.