- present participle of joke.
joking
IdiomsExplanation
You can describe something that's funny, lighthearted, or flippant as joking. A joking manner can be a good quality in a kids' dentist and a not-so-good quality in a funeral director. A joking birthday card might tease the recipient about his advanced age, and a joking tone in an interviewer's voice keeps the mood light and playful. When you're in a joking mood, you're full of good humor. At the heart of the adjective joking is joke, originally joque, from the Latin iocus, "joke, sport, or pastime."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But they said they planned to reunite soon behind the camera, joking that it had to come soon because of their advancing ages.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Michael Che returned to the execution controversy, joking that the Pentagon’s proposed livestream would mark the first public execution in the United States since “a couple of weeks ago,” drawing groans from the audience.
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026
“I’m joking with my mom she’s happy to let me play now,” Elia said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Vasseur was asked whether he was joking about Horner, and replied: "I was very serious."
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
It took her a moment to realize he was joking.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
