# kidding

/ˈkɪdɪŋ/ (US) · /kˈɪdɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kidding
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. joking

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to say something as a joke or to pretend something is true when it is not.

For teachers: to engage in playful or deceptive jesting. Often used in the continuous form to indicate that a previous statement was not serious.

- I thought he was angry, but he was just kidding about the broken vase.
- When the manager suggested we all work through the weekend, I genuinely couldn't tell if he was kidding or if he expected us to comply.

### 2. a goat giving birth

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the act of a goat giving birth to its young.

For teachers: the process of parturition in goats.

- The farmer stayed in the barn all night to watch the kidding.
- Successful kidding requires a clean, dry environment to ensure the health of both the doe and the newborn kids.

Usage: Used as an uncountable noun or a gerund in agricultural contexts.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialised term used by farmers and vets; most learners will only ever encounter the 'joking' sense.

## Examples

- I am only kidding about the surprise party.
- He told his sister he had lost her car keys, but he was only kidding to see her reaction.
- Although the manager appeared stern when he threatened to cancel the holiday, the staff soon realized he was merely kidding to lighten the mood.

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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.