kidding

kid-ding · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    Present participle of "kid"; speaking or behaving in a joking or playful manner; not being serious.

  2. 2.

    Teasing or making fun of someone in a lighthearted way.

  3. 3.

    Deceiving or fooling someone, often playfully.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    just kidding — indicating that a previous statement was not serious
  • •
    you're kidding — an expression of disbelief or surprise
  • •
    no kidding — truly; I'm serious (or an expression of surprise)
  • •
    kidding around — behaving playfully or not seriously
  • •
    who are you kidding — expressing skepticism about someone's claim
  • •
    I kid you not — I'm telling the truth

Related words

Antonyms: serious
See also: humor, joke, kid, tease
Synonyms: fooling, jesting, joking, teasing

Etymology

From the noun "kid" (young goat, then child), possibly from Old Norse kið ("young goat"). The verb sense of "to joke or tease" developed in the 19th century, possibly from the idea of treating someone like a child or being playful.