kidder

/ˈkɪd.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɪd.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

kidder — noun

  • kiddersingular
  • kiddersplural

1. a person who enjoys saying things that are not true or playing small tricks on p

1.名詞B1
釋義

a person who enjoys saying things that are not true or playing small tricks on people, just to make others laugh or react in surprise

例句

Fumi is such a kidder — she told Ibrahim the office was closed tomorrow just to watch his face fall.

Don't believe every story Vikram tells at dinner; he is a real kidder who loves tall tales.

collocation: real kidder

同義詞
  • joker

    more general and common; a joker can also mean someone who is not serious at all, while a kidder specifically plays with the truth playfully

  • prankster

    focuses on practical jokes or physical tricks rather than playful lies; more mischievous in tone

  • tease

    emphasises playful mockery or gentle making-fun, not necessarily telling untruths or setting up tricks

反義詞
  • killjoy

    someone who spoils other people's fun; the opposite of someone who creates playful amusement

常見錯誤

❌Minh is a kidder' (meaning Minh is young).
✅Minh is a kidder' (meaning Minh likes to joke).
💡'kidder' does NOT mean 'young person'; it means 'someone who jokes playfully.' The only sense that relates to youth is used strictly as a direct address in UK English.

2. used in some parts of the UK, especially northern England and Scotland, as an in

2.名詞B2
釋義

used in some parts of the UK, especially northern England and Scotland, as an informal and friendly way to speak to a child or young person you know well, similar to 'mate' or 'pal'

例句

'Cheer up, kidder,' said Hana to her younger brother after he lost the game.

direct address: 'kidder' at the end of a friendly sentence

The old man smiled at the boy and said, 'You dropped your glove, kidder.'

同義詞
  • mate

    wider UK usage; can be used with people of any age, not just children, and in many more contexts

  • pal

    friendly term that can be used with children, but less regionally specific than 'kidder'

  • sonny

    also used to address a young boy but can sound old-fashioned or condescending; 'kidder' is warmer

用法筆記

Common in northern England and Scotland. The speaker must know the child or young person well — using 'kidder' with a stranger's child would sound odd. This is a term of warmth and familiarity, not a general label for young people.

常見錯誤

❌That kidder over there is my neighbour's son.
✅That young lad over there is my neighbour's son.
💡'kidder' as a friendly address is only used directly TO someone, not as a label for them in the third person.