Cool MateJoking vs Kidding
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Joking
Top 3,000 (common)
Kidding
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: JokingMost common: Kidding
| Joking | Kidding | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdʒəʊ.kɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈdʒoʊ.kɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //ˈkɪd.ɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈkɪd.ɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Making someone laugh or being funny. | Joking or not serious. |
| Example | He was just joking when he said he would run a marathon. | I was just kidding when I said you owe me money. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | joking about, joking around, joking tone, make a joking remark | just kidding, are you kidding?, kidding around |
| Antonyms | serious, solemn | serious, truthful |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'joke' - remember 'joking' is the action., Using 'joking' in serious discussions can seem inappropriate., Mixing up 'joking' with 'teasing' - they have different meanings. | Using 'kidding' in a serious context., Confusing 'kidding' with 'kid' as a noun., Not understanding when to use it to indicate sarcasm. |
| Usage notes | Use 'joking' in informal contexts; be cautious with serious topics to avoid offending someone. It's generally light-hearted. | Use 'kidding' in casual conversations. It's not suitable for formal contexts. Often used to lighten a statement or clarify a joke. |
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Frequently asked questions: Joking vs Kidding
What's the difference between Joking and Kidding?
Joking: Making someone laugh or being funny. Kidding: Joking or not serious.
Which is more formal: Joking and Kidding?
Joking is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Joking and Kidding?
Kidding is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Joking: He was just joking when he said he would run a marathon. Kidding: I was just kidding when I said you owe me money.
Can I use Joking and Kidding interchangeably?
Not always. Joking and Kidding are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.