Cool MateNo kiddin vs Seriously
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No kiddin
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Seriously
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most formal: SeriouslyMost common: Seriously
| No kiddin | Seriously | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈkɪdɪn//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈkɪdɪn// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪəriəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪriəsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Really? Are you serious? | used to show that something is true or important |
| Example | You actually won the lottery? No kiddin! | I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | No kiddin, really, I mean, no kiddin, Seriously, no kiddin | seriously consider, seriously doubt, seriously think, seriously injure |
| Antonyms | - | playfully, jokingly |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal contexts where it sounds inappropriate., Confused with 'No kidding', which has the same meaning., Mispronounced, leading to misunderstandings. | Using 'serious' instead of 'seriously' in adverbial contexts., Confusing with 'sincerely' when trying to express genuine feelings. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual settings to express surprise or disbelief. It's not suitable for formal conversations. | Usually used to emphasize seriousness in conversations. It can sound casual in informal settings but is appropriate in serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: No kiddin vs Seriously
What's the difference between No kiddin and Seriously?
No kiddin: Really? Are you serious? Seriously: used to show that something is true or important
Which is more formal: No kiddin and Seriously?
Seriously is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: No kiddin and Seriously?
Seriously is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No kiddin: You actually won the lottery? No kiddin! Seriously: I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam.
Can I use No kiddin and Seriously interchangeably?
Not always. No kiddin and Seriously 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.