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kid around

B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To laugh and make jokes without being serious.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To joke and be playful in a light-hearted way, without any serious intent.

"Relax — we were just kidding around. Nobody meant any harm."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To tease someone gently without the intention to hurt or deceive.

"Stop kidding around and tell me what really happened!"

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Always used in a harmless, positive context. Common in everyday American English. Often used to clarify that something said was not meant seriously ('I'm just kidding around'). Suitable for all ages.

Commonly used with

joke laugh tease playful banter fun

Forms

Base
kid around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
kids around
he/she/it
Past simple
kided around
yesterday
Past participle
kided around
have + pp
-ing form
kiding around
continuous

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Synonyms

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