- present participle of mock.
mocking
Americanadjective
noun
-
mockings
plural
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of mocking
First recorded in 1400–50; mock ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective; mock ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun
Explanation
When you talk to or about someone in a mocking tone, you're making fun of them in a nasty, mean way. But if you're a comedy writer or political satirist, a mocking attitude is a tool of your trade. If you're writing a skit about the outrageous proposal some politician has just made, you'll write it in a mocking tone, imitating the politician's voice and mannerisms in a way that makes him look as ridiculous as you think he is. Seen any mockingbirds lately? That's the bird that sings almost nonstop, imitating the calls of other birds.
Vocabulary lists containing mocking
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
It’s funny, my mother used to look at me with an expression that was neither mocking nor exasperated, merely seasoned, and say, “Baby, not everything needs to be a production.”
From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026
Italy reacted angrily on Friday after reported comments by US President Donald Trump mocking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with the foreign minister cancelling a planned US visit.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
"We absolutely need that as we're mocking things up, but then you come here and you have the best brass players in the world... It's mind-blowing."
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026
A lawyer representing Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is calling for the destruction of all copies of an extremely limited-edition, Operation-style board game mocking SGA for ‘foul baiting.’
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
“A walled city for the king of Bright Moonlight, the Vast Wall for the emperor,” Yishan said in a mocking tone.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
A #nursewho hashtag emerged on Twitter, attached both to attacks on the casting and ironic mockings of the attackers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2017
Backward I see in my own days where I sweated through fog with linguists and contenders, I have no mockings or arguments, I witness and wait.
From Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
"I fear you felt a little faint during the service, but a sacrament——" "Cease your mockings, you false priest," cried Elsa.
From Lysbeth, a Tale of the Dutch by Henry Rider Haggard
He knew by this that his mockings and insinuations had been forgiven.
From It, and Other Stories by Gouverneur Morris
The deceived maiden is cast down by the jeers and mockings of her erstwhile companions, and comforted by Siebel.
From A Book of Operas Their Histories, Their Plots, and Their Music by Henry Edward Krehbiel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
