verb

fooling

Translation

to deceive, to trick, to kid

Stop fooling around and get to work.

I was only fooling, I didn't mean it.

I was only kidding, I didn't mean it.

You're not fooling anyone with that excuse.

((around)) to behave in a silly way, to waste time Stop fooling around.

I'm just fooling. to be joking or not be serious I was only fooling when I said that.

Synonyms: deceive, trick, dupe; Antonyms: enlighten, inform

From Old French 'fol', meaning 'fool, madman'.

Imagine a magician saying 'You've been FOOLED!' after a successful trick.