Jokingly
adv.joyful, kindeveryday
What it means
In a way intended to amuse rather than to be taken literally.
Reach for it when showing that the delivery changes the meaning of the words
She jokingly appointed the sleepy cat as chair of the committee.
Choose between these
6- playful
tongue-in-cheek
an ironic claim is offered with a straight face
not when The phrase fits covert irony better than obvious laughter.
- everyday
teasingly
the speaker lightly provokes someone familiar
not when Teasingly focuses on a target and can suggest flirtation or irritation.
- warm
gentle affection shapes the action or remark
not when Playfully can cover movement and experimentation without any verbal joke.
- professional
lightly
a restrained tone prevents the comment from feeling heavy
not when Lightly may soften a remark without making it humorous.
- formal
facetiously
a knowingly unserious answer is the point
not when Facetiously can signal annoyance or poor judgment, not friendly amusement.
- literary
wryly
dry humor includes irony or rueful insight
not when Wryly adds emotional complexity absent from uncomplicated joking.
Said against
3- seriously
- solemnly
- sincerely
It naturally appears in
3- said jokingly
He said jokingly that the tiny office required a map.
- asked jokingly
Mara asked jokingly whether the pie had its own security detail.
- suggested jokingly
They suggested jokingly that the stubborn printer needed a holiday.
The word family
1Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English adverb sense: in a joking manner opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.