joking
Being playfully untruthful
Joking describes speech or behavior meant to amuse rather than be taken seriously: I was only joking.
It signals that what precedes or follows isn't earnest: Joking aside, we need to talk.
A joking manner or joking tone suggests lightheartedness.
You must be joking expresses disbelief—surely this can't be serious.
Satirical imitation
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
lampoon · spoof · ridicule · wit · send-up · tongue-in-cheek · sardonic · dry humor
Humor's final delivery
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- laughExpress amusement vocally
- comedianProfessional humor performer
funny · chuckle · guffaw · hilarity · mirth · amusement · silliness · drollery
Quick, clever conversation
- quipBrief, clever remark
- wisecrackFlippant clever remark
- ribbingAffectionate verbal teasing
- joshingPlayful mocking
teasing · razzing · chaffing · needling · roasting · back-and-forth · exchange · raillery
Affectionate verbal teasing
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
- provokingCausing a reaction
- hecklingHostile audience interruption
needling · gibing · jeering · goading · pulling leg · winding up · pranking · poking fun
Jokes using sound similarities
- witClever, inventive humor
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- punningExploiting double meanings
innuendo · quips · bon mot · witticism · epigram · malapropism · spoonerism · repartee
parody
Satirical imitation
caricature · lampoon · spoof · ridicule · wit · send-up · tongue-in-cheek · sardonic · dry humor · skewering
punchline
Humor's final delivery
comedian · funny · chuckle · guffaw · hilarity · mirth · amusement · silliness · drollery · buffoonery
repartee
Quick, clever conversation
joshing · teasing · razzing · chaffing · needling · roasting · back-and-forth · exchange · raillery · badinage
ribbing
Affectionate verbal teasing
heckling · needling · gibing · jeering · goading · pulling leg · winding up · pranking · poking fun · making fun
puns
Jokes using sound similarities
- witClever, inventive humor
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- cleverShowing mental quickness
punning · innuendo · quips · bon mot · witticism · epigram · malapropism · spoonerism · repartee · riposte
playful
Inclined toward fun
cheerful · jocular · fun-loving · carefree · blithe · gleeful · frisky · lighthearted · easygoing · good-humored
- conversationlistening, talk, talking, chat, speaking
- funnyfunny, comical, hilarious, humorous, amusing
- humorcomedy, comic, funny, hilarious, amusing
- social interactiongreeting, hello, goodbye, hi, bye
- interactionstalking, sharing, greeting, helping, listening
- ways to communicatechat, announcement, gossip, broadcast, small talk
jokingserious
Weighty and requiring attention
earnest · dead serious · sincere · in earnest · literal
- joking aroundPlayful, unserious behavior
- just joking
- you must be joking
- half jokingPartially in jest