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• josh
  josh

  verb (used with or without object)

  to chaff; banter in a teasing way.
• Josh
  Josh

  noun

  a male given name, form of Joshua.
• Josh.
  Josh.

  abbreviation

  Joshua.

josh

¹ American  

[josh] / dʒɒʃ /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to chaff; banter in a teasing way.

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noun

1. good-natured banter.

Josh ² American  

[josh] / dʒɒʃ /

noun

1. a male given name, form of Joshua.

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Josh. ³ American  

abbreviation

Bible.

1. Joshua.

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josh ¹ British  

/ dʒɒʃ /

verb

1. to tease (someone) in a bantering way

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noun

1. a teasing or bantering joke

Josh. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Joshua

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Other Word Forms

• josher
  noun

Etymology

Origin of josh

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; of obscure origin

Explanation

When you josh, you joke around, teasing and bantering. You probably josh your brother about the weird things he says when he talks in his sleep. Most people laugh when someone joshes with them, although others take offense or don't realize that you're only joking. Your favorite uncle might josh around with you, making you giggle, and you can josh right back at him, teasing him for his silly mustache. Josh comes from American slang, from the boy's name Joshua, although it's not clear why this name was used to mean "be silly."