Word
jokingly
Phoneticsjok·ing·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒoʊkɪŋɫi/
UK/dʒˈəʊkɪŋli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
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.
Examples
“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.”
Examples
simple
“He jokingly suggested that we should walk home in the rain.”
contextual
“When asked about his retirement plans, the CEO jokingly remarked that he might become a professional surfer instead.”
complex
“Although she spoke jokingly about the possibility of moving abroad, her friends noticed she had already begun researching international job markets and visa requirements.”
Usage
Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
Real-World Examples
“Someone jokingly said they were trying to turn Nike into eBay."
That jibe was aimed at John Donahoe, the former eBay boss behind Nike's online direct-to-consumer sales pivot, before he made way for Hill.” “Lawson went viral in 2020 when she jokingly referred to her “meecro-wah-vay” – a clip shortlisted as one of Bafta’s TV moments of the year.” “One comedian known as Highheel Momoko discovered this the hard way after she was jokingly ‘bento-shamed’ that the “girl in a pink dress” or the bear she posted looked a bit like… dead bodies.” Etymology
From joking + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/jokingly