# just kidding

CEFR A2 · Fixed phrase

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/just-kidding
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

you say this to show that what you just said was a joke and not serious.

For teachers: a conversational formula used to signal that a preceding statement was intended as a joke, irony, or sarcasm rather than a literal truth.

## Examples

- I'm moving to Mars next week—just kidding!
- He told his sister he had eaten all her chocolate, but then said 'just kidding' when she looked upset.
- The speaker made a sharp remark about the local government but quickly added 'just kidding' to soften the blow for the officials in the audience.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am just kid." but "I am just kidding." — the present participle 'kidding' is required to show the ongoing state of joking; 'kid' is a noun or a base verb.

## Usage notes

- usually placed at the end of a sentence or as a standalone interjection immediately following a joke.
- Teaching tip: teach this alongside 'only joking' (British English) and 'I'm just pulling your leg' (idiomatic) to show different ways of clarifying intent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.