name
Common
Josh
JOSH
Josh (name) means a male given name, a short form of Joshua. Example: “Josh started his new job on Monday.”
name
1
A male given name, a short form of Joshua.
"Josh started his new job on Monday."
verb
1
To tease someone in a light, friendly way; to joke around good-naturedly.
"Stop joshing me, I know you're not really moving to Australia."
"The coach was just joshing with the rookies about their pregame jitters."
How to use Josh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a name, short for Joshua; as a verb, to gently tease or joke with someone.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "joshing" (friendly teasing) with mocking someone unkindly — it implies affection, not cruelty.
Common pairings
just joshing
joshing around
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Word forms
- Plural
- joshes
- Third person singular
- joshes
- Past tense
- joshed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ started his new job on Monday.
Etymology
Origin disputed, but likely traces back to the given name Joshua; the earliest recorded uses of the verb, in the mid-1800s, are capitalized.
Class of 1800
Josh joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Related words
Rhymes for Josh
See all rhymes for Josh →Frequently asked questions
What does “Josh” mean?
The word “Josh” means a male given name, a short form of Joshua. In plain terms, as a name, short for Joshua; as a verb, to gently tease or joke with someone.
How do you pronounce “Josh”?
“Josh” is pronounced JOSH (/ˈd͡ʒɑʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Josh” in a sentence?
Here is “Josh” used in a sentence: “Josh started his new job on Monday.”
What part of speech is “Josh”?
Depending on how it is used, “Josh” can be a name and a verb.
Where does the word “Josh” come from?
The word “Josh” dates back to around 1800. Origin disputed, but likely traces back to the given name Joshua; the earliest recorded uses of the verb, in the mid-1800s, are capitalized.
Is “Josh” a common word?
“Josh” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Josh” have?
“Josh” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name, a short form of Joshua.
What is the difference between "josh" and "tease"?
Both mean to make fun of someone, but "josh" specifically implies light, good-natured joking with no intent to hurt. "Tease" can be friendly but may also be pointed or unkind depending on tone. Joshing is almost always affectionate.
What is the difference between "Josh" the name and "josh" the verb?
Capitalized "Josh" is a male given name, a short form of Joshua. Lowercase "josh" is a verb meaning to tease someone playfully and good-naturedly. Capitalization usually signals which is intended.
Is "josh" formal or informal?
"Josh" is informal and conversational, used mostly in casual speech. In formal writing you would more likely see "tease," "joke," or "banter." It carries a friendly, light-hearted tone.
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