ENGLISH
REFERENCE

joking

v.
A2 Elementary US //ˈdʒoʊkɪŋ// UK //dʒˈəʊkɪŋ// jok·ing Informal

v. to say something funny or not serious to make people laugh. You use this when you are not being honest on purpose, but only for fun.

v. to say or do something for amusement or as a prank rather than in earnest. Often used in the present continuous to clarify that a previous statement was not intended to be taken literally.


SIMPLE

I am only joking about the extra homework.

CONTEXTUAL

He was clearly joking when he said he would quit his job to become a professional clown.

COMPLEX

Although her tone remained perfectly flat, the slight twinkle in her eye suggested she was merely joking with the reporters to see how they would react.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is intransitive; it is frequently followed by the preposition 'about' or 'with'.

Pitfall

I am joking you.I am joking with you.The verb is intransitive and requires the preposition 'with' when referring to the person being teased.

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