jokingly
adv.in a way that shows you are making a joke or are not being serious. You use this to describe how someone says something when they want to be funny.
adv.in a humorous or non-serious manner. Typically modifies verbs of communication to indicate that the speaker's intent is playful rather than literal.
“He jokingly suggested that we should walk home in the rain.”
“When asked about his retirement plans, the CEO jokingly remarked that he might become a professional surfer instead.”
“Although she spoke jokingly about the possibility of moving abroad, her friends noticed she had already begun researching international job markets and visa requirements.”
Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
From joking + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.