Phrasal verb
joke around
Definitions
01to behave playfully
phr.v. to behave in a silly or funny way to make people laugh.
phr.v. to engage in playful or lighthearted behaviour, often to amuse others or pass the time.
“The students were joking around in the back of the classroom until the teacher arrived.”
“The team spent the afternoon joking around in the breakroom, which helped relieve the tension after the stressful product launch.”
Informal
Usage
This is an intransitive phrasal verb and does not take a direct object.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to tease or prank
phr.v. to say things that are not serious or to play tricks on someone for fun.
phr.v. to tease others or make humorous statements that are not intended to be taken literally.
“Don't get angry; I was just joking around when I said you were late.”
“He is constantly joking around with his colleagues, though occasionally his dry sense of humour is misinterpreted as genuine criticism.”
Informal
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'with' to indicate the person being teased.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'make fun of' (which is often mean-spirited) and 'kid' (which is often a single verbal act); 'joke around' describes a general state of playful behavior.
Phrasal verb
Particles
around
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
joke + around
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/joke-around