Teasing: meaning, definitions and examples

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teasing

 

[ หˆtiหzษชล‹ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

playful behavior

Teasing is a form of playful behavior in which one person intentionally provokes or annoys another person in a lighthearted or good-natured way. It often involves making jokes, witty remarks, or engaging in light-hearted banter.

Synonyms

banter, joking, mocking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
teasing

Teasing is used when you are playfully making fun of someone in a light-hearted way. It involves gentle humor and is not meant to hurt the other person's feelings.

  • She was teasing her brother about his new haircut, but he knew she wasn't serious
banter

Banter is light, playful, and friendly exchange of teasing remarks. It's often mutual and keeps the conversation lively without any real intention of offending.

  • The banter between the friends at the dinner table made everyone laugh throughout the meal
joking

Joking can be used in any situation where something funny or amusing is said. It is broad and can include anything from puns to sarcasm, as long as the intention is to entertain or amuse.

  • He was joking when he said he saw a UFO last night; everyone knew he was just trying to make them laugh
mocking

Mocking has a more negative tone and is used when someone is making fun of someone else in a scornful or derisive manner. It is meant to belittle or scorn someone.

  • She felt hurt when her classmates started mocking her for her accent

Examples of usage

  • He enjoys engaging in teasing with his friends.
  • She couldn't help but smile at his teasing comments.
Context #2 | Verb

provoking in a playful way

To tease means to provoke or annoy someone in a playful or light-hearted manner. It involves intentionally making jokes, witty remarks, or engaging in banter with the goal of eliciting a reaction from the other person.

Synonyms

annoy, banter, provoke.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
teasing

Used when someone playfully makes fun of another person in a light-hearted manner. It's not meant to harm but to share a joke.

  • She was teasing her friend about his new haircut.
  • They spent the evening teasing each other about their favorite sports teams.
provoke

Used when someone intentionally tries to elicit a strong reaction, often negative, from another person. It implies a deliberate act to incite anger or discomfort.

  • He tried to provoke her by mocking her ideas.
  • The rude comments were meant to provoke a reaction from the crowd.
annoy

Used when someone is doing something that causes irritation or frustration to another person. It has a slightly negative connotation.

  • The constant noise from the construction site really annoyed the neighbors.
  • His habit of interrupting people during meetings annoyed everyone.
banter

Used when there is a friendly, witty exchange of remarks, usually between friends or close acquaintances. It's often humorous and light-hearted.

  • Their banter made the long car ride much more enjoyable.
  • The two colleagues engaged in banter every morning over coffee.

Examples of usage

  • He likes to tease his little sister by hiding her toys.
  • She teased him about his new haircut.

Translations

Translations of the word "teasing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น provocaรงรฃo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคฟเคขเคผเคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Neckerei

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menggoda

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดั€ะฐะถะฝะธั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ draลผnienie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ‹ใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท taquinerie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ burlas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท alay

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋†€๋ฆผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุถุงูŠู‚ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลกkรกdlenรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลกkรกdlenie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆˆๅผ„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zbadanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ strรญรฐni

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะฐะทะฐา›ั‚ะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒ‘แƒ แƒแƒ–แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ษ™lษ™ salmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ burlas

Etymology

The word 'teasing' originated from the Old English word tรฆsan, which meant to pull or pluck. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of provoking or annoying someone in a playful manner. Teasing has been a common form of social interaction among friends and family for centuries, often used to bond and create a sense of camaraderie through light-hearted banter.

See also: teaser, teasingly.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,369, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.