Joking vs. kidding: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Joking can refer more broadly to telling jokes or being humorous, while kidding usually emphasizes teasing or playfully tricking someone. Kidding is often used informally in conversation, whereas joking can also be used in more formal contexts.
What they have in common
Both joking and kidding refer to making humorous or lighthearted remarks that are not meant to be taken seriously. They often indicate that what was said is intended to be funny or playful rather than literal.
Examples
joking
- He was just joking about quitting his job.
- Are you joking, or are you serious?
- She likes joking with her friends at lunch.
kidding
- I’m just kidding—you didn’t actually offend me.
- Are you kidding me? That can’t be true!
- You must be kidding if you think I’ll wake up at 5 AM.
Which one is more common?
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