tease
teez
Tease (verb) means to poke fun at someone playfully or, sometimes, unkindly. Example: “His friends teased him good-naturedly about his new haircut.”
verb
1
To poke fun at someone playfully or, sometimes, unkindly.
"His friends teased him good-naturedly about his new haircut."
2
To provoke, annoy, or deliberately wind someone up.
"Stop teasing the dog — it's starting to growl."
3
To reveal a small hint of something exciting that's coming.
"The studio teased the film's ending with a single cryptic image."
noun
1
A person who enjoys teasing others.
"Her older brother was always a bit of a tease."
How to use tease
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo playfully (or annoyingly) provoke someone, or to give a small preview of something.
Common mistake
Teasing can be affectionate or hurtful depending on tone and relationship — worth being clear which you mean.
Common pairings
tease someone about
just teasing
tease out
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Word forms
- Plural
- teases
- Third person singular
- teases
- Past tense
- teased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His friends _____ him good-naturedly about his new haircut.
Etymology
From Old English tæsan, originally meaning to pull apart or comb out fibres (like wool) — the modern sense of playful provocation developed centuries later, by extension from "picking at" someone.
Related words
Rhymes for tease
See all rhymes for tease →Frequently asked questions
What does “tease” mean?
The word “tease” means to poke fun at someone playfully or, sometimes, unkindly. In plain terms, to playfully (or annoyingly) provoke someone, or to give a small preview of something.
How do you pronounce “tease”?
“Tease” is pronounced teez (/tiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “tease” in a sentence?
Here is “tease” used in a sentence: “His friends teased him good-naturedly about his new haircut.”
What part of speech is “tease”?
Depending on how it is used, “tease” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tease” come from?
The word “tease” comes from Old English. From Old English tæsan, originally meaning to pull apart or comb out fibres (like wool) — the modern sense of playful provocation developed centuries later, by extension from "picking at" someone.
Is “tease” a common word?
“Tease” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tease” have?
“Tease” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to poke fun at someone playfully or, sometimes, unkindly.
What is the difference between teasing someone and bullying them?
Teasing is poking fun at someone playfully, or sometimes unkindly, and can range from harmless joking to mild provocation, while bullying involves repeated, deliberate harm or intimidation meant to hurt or control someone. Teasing can be affectionate between friends, but when it becomes unkind or relentless, it can shade into bullying.
What does it mean to "tease" a new product or movie?
In this sense, to tease something means to reveal a small hint of it ahead of its full release, building anticipation without giving everything away. A "teaser trailer" is a common example of this usage in marketing and entertainment.
What is the difference between teasing someone and provoking them?
Teasing can be lighthearted, poking fun at someone playfully, whereas the sense of "tease" meaning to provoke or deliberately wind someone up implies more intent to annoy or irritate. The same word covers both a gentle, friendly form and a more antagonistic one, so tone and context matter.
What is a "tease" as a noun?
As a noun, a "tease" refers to a person who enjoys teasing others, often in a playful or flirtatious way. The sense connects to the verb's meaning of hinting at more than is delivered.
