What does kidded mean?
Kidded is the past tense of the informal verb “kid,” meaning to deceive, fool, or mislead someone. It can also describe playful teasing or joking, as in “we were just kidded.” The word is especially associated with pranks, surprises, and lighthearted banter rather than serious deception, although it can refer to deliberate trickery. In conversation, “kidded” often appears in expressions such as “kidded us” or “just kidded,” making the tone casual and playful. Because it is a past-tense form, it is normally used with a subject and the usual past-tense verb agreement, such as “They kidded me” or “She kidded the class.” The form is understood across British and American English, but it is less formal than alternatives such as “fooled,” “tricked,” or “teased.”
verbTo deceive or fool someone, especially by making them believe something that is not true. In informal contexts, it can also mean to joke with or tease someone.
- To deceive, fool, or mislead someone.
- To joke with or tease someone, especially in an informal context.
"The practical joke kidded the whole office for nearly an hour."
"The magician kidded the audience with a disappearing coin."
"We were just kidded; nobody really believed the announcement."
“Kidded” is a past-tense word with a playful double life: it can mean you were fooled, or that the whole thing was only a joke.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kidded come from?
The word belongs to the informal English verb “kid,” whose origins are uncertain and probably involve a specialized sense of fooling or misleading. The verb became especially prominent in British English during the 19th century and is now common in both British and American informal usage. “Kidded” is simply the regular past tense and past participle of that verb, and the related forms “kiddy” and “kiddo” reflect the word’s broader association with children.
Related word forms
How kidded is actually used
This is an informal past-tense form of “kid.” It is common in everyday speech and informal writing, while neutral or formal contexts may prefer “fooled,” “tricked,” or “joked with.”
Easily confused with kidded
“Kid” can be a verb meaning to joke with or deceive someone, while “kidded” is the past tense of that verb.