joking vs kidding

Both 'joking' and 'kidding' are correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone is not being serious. They are interchangeable in most contexts.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 297 views

The term 'joking' is correct and commonly used to indicate that someone is not being serious.

"joking"

You can use 'joking' to express that you are not being serious or to clarify that something is meant as a joke.

Examples:

I'm just joking, don't take it seriously.
He thought I was joking, but I was actually serious.

Show examples from the web [+]

Your honor - detective, I am not joking.
I'm not joking, Lisa.
I'm always joking, I'm a happy person.
I'm not joking, I was worried.
Let them that much stuferà joking.
[Jepson] These aren't times for joking.
But joking aside, you've lost a lot of weight.
I was joking, don't get excited.
If I were joking, you'd be laughing.
But he's... I'm not joking here.
Nothing, Ray. I was only joking, mate.
Hell. And I'm not joking.
I was actually joking about the Superman thing.
So you can just sit here joking and smirking all you want.
There's no joking about this sort of thing.
I'm not even joking. It's fantastic.
You'd better not be joking.
I am not in a joking mood, Moranto.
Tell my father-in-law I am not joking.
No. Jane, I'm not joking.

Alternatives:

teasing
playing around
just kidding
pulling your leg
messing around

The term 'kidding' is correct and commonly used to indicate that someone is not being serious.

"kidding"

You can use 'kidding' to express that you are not being serious or to clarify that something is meant as a joke.

Examples:

I'm just kidding, I didn't mean it.
Are you kidding me? That's unbelievable.

Show examples from the web [+]

Tell them you were kidding, boss.
Lees, I was kidding, the sweater is fine.
Adam, I'm not kidding.
I, you know... I wasn't kidding.
Just kidding, but not really, because...
I'm kidding about the face.
I'm just kidding, it's okay.
No, 'cause... I was kidding.
Harry, I was only kidding, I swear.
"Mister commenda", I was kidding.
I'm kidding, just to make you jealous.
Whoever named this place the Rock wasn't kidding.
I'm not kidding - I cheated in art.
I was kidding, she took it seriously.
It doesn't matter anyway, I was just kidding.
Why - She's kidding, Doug.
I'm not kidding, I'll work till the revolvers change hands.
Mari, Justin was not kidding.
Juanita Solis, I am not kidding.
Don't look so down, I'm just kidding.

Alternatives:

joking
teasing
playing around
just pulling your leg
messing around

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joking vs kidding

"joking"

"kidding"

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