jokingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jokingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action or statement made in a humorous or playful manner, often not meant to be taken seriously. Example: "She jokingly suggested that we should all quit our jobs and become professional beach bums."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I thought he played so-so," he said jokingly.

The Guardian - Sport

The Labour leader was jokingly referred to as the stripper after his battle bus was gatecrashed by Nicola Braithwaite and her friends.

The Guardian

John O'Keefe – who shares this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – once jokingly told me that he was searching for the soul of the rat, but missed and struck lucky with his discovery of place cells – a kind of "you are here" mapping signal in the brain.

The Guardian

Braithwaite jokingly wrote: "Maybe he'll make the big day!" Her sister Kathryn added: "Only my sister can have a pic with Ed-Miliband UKLabour #ed #henparty".

The Guardian

By half time the Hungarians had taken a shattering 4-2 leand and in the dressing-room, the captain and inside-left, Ferenc Puskás, jokingly said to Grosics: "If you let any more in, we'll give you a good hiding!" Grosic, in fact, just before half time, had made a typically spectacular save from a header by the English outside-left George Robb.

The Guardian - Sport

"Gerry Adams asked, jokingly, if Tony and I would seek political status, as IRA prisoners had done, and suggested that we refuse to recognise the court".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Soon, people were (only half-jokingly) posting things like "ed miliband can cut my deficit" or "ed miliband is bae" and passing round a Vine of Miliband gazing dreamily into the camera to the sounds of the saxophone bit from Careless Whisper.

The Guardian

I lent the book to my mother after my re-reading, and - half-jokingly - she asked whether this novel had been rewritten "to be contemporary".

The Guardian - Books

Recently, over lunch with two managers, each (still) in charge of top league European clubs, I half-jokingly inquired on their rapport with their respective club owners.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have a year or two, and we'll get another recession," says Mr Kaplan, only half-jokingly.

The Economist

Mr Gordienko half-jokingly calls himself a "patriotic pirate", and speaks of an alliance with Odessa's powerful criminal underworld against the pro-Russians.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jokingly" to clearly indicate when a statement or action is not intended to be taken seriously, preventing potential misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "jokingly" when the context already makes it obvious that something is a joke. Overusing it can make your writing seem redundant or even condescending.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "jokingly" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that something was said or done in a humorous or playful way, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "jokingly" is used to indicate that something is said or done in a joking manner, conveying humor or lightheartedness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While alternatives like "in jest" or "facetiously" exist, "jokingly" provides a clear and direct way to express intent. It's important to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy and to ensure the context doesn't already imply a joking tone. Overall, it's a versatile adverb for signaling humor and preventing misinterpretations in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a joking manner

A more descriptive and literal way to say something was said or done as a joke.

in jest

Indicates something said or done playfully or humorously, often without serious intent. It's a more formal alternative.

facetiously

Describes something said in a way that's meant to be humorous or amusing, though sometimes inappropriately or without real feeling.

tongue-in-cheek

Expressing something in a humorous or ironic way; not meant to be taken seriously.

playfully

Implies a lighthearted and amusing manner, often suggesting a sense of fun or teasing.

lightheartedly

Indicates doing something in a cheerful or carefree manner, without seriousness.

humorously

Describes something said or done in a funny or amusing way.

teasingly

Suggests a playful way of making fun of someone.

wittily

Implies a clever and amusing way of speaking or behaving.

with a smile

Implies humor through a non-verbal cue accompanying the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "jokingly" in a sentence?

Use "jokingly" to modify a verb, indicating that an action or statement was made in a joking or humorous manner. For example, "He "jokingly" suggested we quit our jobs."

What are some alternatives to the word "jokingly"?

You can use alternatives like "in jest", "facetiously", or "playfully" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify when something is said "jokingly"?

Not always. Context often provides sufficient clues. However, using "jokingly" can prevent misinterpretations, especially in written communication where tone is less apparent. Use it when there's a risk of being misunderstood.

What's the difference between saying something "jokingly" versus saying it "sarcastically"?

"Jokingly" implies humor and a lighthearted intent, while sarcasm often involves irony or mockery. Sarcasm can be cutting or critical, whereas saying something "jokingly" is generally intended to be amusing or playful.