# kid around

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kid-around
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to joke with someone or act in a silly way instead of being serious.

For teachers: to engage in lighthearted teasing or to behave in a playful, non-serious manner. The verb is typically intransitive.

## Examples

- I'm just kidding around; don't be angry.
- The team likes to kid around during lunch, but they are very focused once they get back to their desks.
- While the atmosphere in the laboratory was generally austere, the researchers would occasionally kid around to alleviate the stress of the looming deadline.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was kidding around me." but "He was kidding around with me." — when mentioning the person being teased, the preposition 'with' is required.

## Usage notes

- usually used without a direct object to describe a general behavior or mood.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'make fun of' (which can be mean) and 'joke' (more general); 'kidding around' implies a harmless, playful atmosphere.

---

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.