no kidding
idiom
informal
1
—used to emphasize the truth of a statement
No kidding, the test is tomorrow.
2
—used to ask if a statement is really true
"The test is tomorrow." "No kidding?"
3
—used to show surprise or interest in what has been said
"My brother got engaged last month." "No kidding! That's great news!"
—often used in an ironic way in response to a statement that is regarded as very obvious"If we don't start going faster, we're not going to finish on time." "Gee, no kidding."
Examples of no kidding in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Al Hilal have been in the news loads, between their bid for Bruno Fernandes and their recruitment of Simone Inzaghi from Inter for $500,000 a week (no kidding).
—
Phil Hay, New York Times, 18 June 2025
At present, their women are world champions at the under-17 and under-20 levels (also no kidding).
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Dublin versus Kerry, no kidding around, and 80,000 people packed into Croke Park.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Krispy Kreme has some specials for Easter and April Fools' Day – no kidding.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
There's no kidding about the top-three finalists — Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane, and Sapphira Cristál — heading into Friday's conclusion of one of the best seasons of Drag Race in recent years.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Back in the early 20th century, doctors would inject samples of a woman’s urine into a lab rat to test for pregnancy, no kidding!
—Marisa Cohen, Good Housekeeping, 30 Aug. 2023
Our surrogate in the story is a postal inspector named, no kidding, Harmony Melody, and she’s played with manic energy by Beetz.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
His addiction takes the form of a sentient cloud of smoke voiced, no kidding, by George C. Scott.
—Vulture, 13 June 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Phil Hay, New York Times, 18 June 2025
At present, their women are world champions at the under-17 and under-20 levels (also no kidding).
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Dublin versus Kerry, no kidding around, and 80,000 people packed into Croke Park.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Krispy Kreme has some specials for Easter and April Fools' Day – no kidding.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
There's no kidding about the top-three finalists — Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane, and Sapphira Cristál — heading into Friday's conclusion of one of the best seasons of Drag Race in recent years.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Back in the early 20th century, doctors would inject samples of a woman’s urine into a lab rat to test for pregnancy, no kidding!
—Marisa Cohen, Good Housekeeping, 30 Aug. 2023
Our surrogate in the story is a postal inspector named, no kidding, Harmony Melody, and she’s played with manic energy by Beetz.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
His addiction takes the form of a sentient cloud of smoke voiced, no kidding, by George C. Scott.
—Vulture, 13 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“No kidding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no%20kidding. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share