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teasing

[ tee-zing ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act of persistently annoying someone, especially playfully and with silly jokes about them:
Most holidays, we all manage to squeeze in at Grandma’s and enjoy a crazy day full of laughter, teasing, eating, and sharing.
the act of bullying, harassing, or tormenting someone:
Many students with learning disabilities suffer the frustration of low achievement and the teasing and poor self-image that come with it.
the act of purposely exciting, tantalizing, or sexually arousing someone without providing subsequent gratification:
She smiled over her shoulder at him, brown eyes shiny with teasing.

harassing, tantalizing, or playfully annoying someone in any of these ways:
In answer to my eager question, they shrugged a teasing “maybe.”
Lisa turns 20 next month and her mother is already sending her teasing texts featuring grandma emojis.

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Origin of teasing¹

First recorded in 1585–95; teas(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses; teas(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective sense

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Examples have not been reviewed.

We have maintained an ability to keep teasing one another and respecting each other and still laughing.

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This is where the trouble often brews - with rival fans teasing each other when their bets fail.

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“I’m sure you disclosed it anyway,” says Gladstone, teasing.

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They pressed with intensity, tested Real Madrid's defence with Kelly's teasing balls and could rely on Russo's sharpness in front of goal.

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A text from a co-worker teasing Michael Chavez about winning the lottery led him to check his ticket.

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