teasing
Americannoun
-
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.
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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.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of teasing
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He even managed to get a more current jest in, teasing the group of young cadets with a “six-seven” joke about making good choices.
From Salon • May 24, 2026
On Friday, the president confirmed that he wouldn’t make it, after teasing Thursday that he just had a bit too much going on.
From Slate • May 23, 2026
Retail expert Catherine Shuttleworth said Swatch had done a fantastic job in teasing the product, drawing on younger shoppers' love of collaborations, exclusivity and newness.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
The conversation includes some light teasing about each other’s attachment styles — the intimate banter of close friends.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026
I know Jamal Mamoo was probably teasing me, but I still get freaked out by the idea.
From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
