joking around
Not being serious
Joking around is engaging in playful, lighthearted behavior—teasing, making jokes, or being silly rather than serious.
It often implies harmless fun rather than meaningful activity: We were just joking around, not trying to offend anyone.
The phrase can minimize or excuse behavior that others found inappropriate: He claims he was only joking around.
- larkingPlayful, carefree activity
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- pulling your legJoking to fool someone
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
having a laugh · playfulness · humor · laughter · joke · cracking jokes · chaff · goofing off · pranking · kidding · just kidding · wit · funning · clowning · repartee · levity · not serious · smirking
joking aroundmeaning business
Genuinely intent on action
no laughing matter · getting serious · telling the truth · keeping a straight face
joking aroundgetting down to business
Focusing on the task
buckling down · focusing · knuckling down · applying oneself · getting serious
around, joking, joker, jocular, joked, jesting, jokingly, jokers, jocularity