Joking
What it means
Intended humorously rather than as a serious or literal statement.
Reach for it when clarifying that a remark, proposal, or manner is playful
Her joking offer to trade desks made the tense meeting feel human again.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday |
|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
tongue-in-cheek
Fits when the audience is meant to recognize dry irony
Careful Tongue-in-cheek depends on concealed irony, not open joking.
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everyday
bantering
Fits when friendly teasing moves back and forth
Careful Bantering needs at least two participants and can become competitive.
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warm
Fits when affectionate lightness matters more than a specific joke
Careful Playful can describe design or movement where no statement is nonliteral.
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professional
Fits when the material is designed to amuse in neutral language
Careful Humorous may describe a polished work rather than an offhand joking manner.
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formal
facetious
Fits when levity deliberately replaces a serious answer
Careful Facetious often criticizes poor timing or inadequate seriousness.
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literary
Fits when mischievous verbal humor suits an old-fashioned tone
Careful Waggish will sound affected to many present-day readers.
Opposites 3
- serious
- earnest
- literal
Common phrases 3
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joking manner
His joking manner kept the rehearsal relaxed but attentive.
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joking suggestion
A joking suggestion about bicycles led to a useful delivery plan.
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joking comment
Her joking comment made clear that no blame was intended.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: AnotherFriendlyHuman, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated