josh

v. to tease someone in a friendly way without meaning to be mean.

v. to tease or joke with someone in a playful, good-natured manner. Often used transitively with a person as the object.

“Don't take him seriously; he's just joshing you about your new haircut.”

“The colleagues spent the lunch hour joshing each other about their respective sports teams, maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere despite the looming deadline.”

Informal

v. to make jokes or have a funny conversation with others.

v. to engage in playful or humorous conversation. Intransitive use focusing on the act of joking rather than a target.

“We were just joshing around in the back of the car during the long drive.”

“The veterans sat on the porch joshing around, their easy laughter suggesting decades of shared history and mutual respect.”

Informal

n. a friendly joke or a bit of playful teasing.

n. an instance of good-natured banter or a playful joke.

“It was all just a bit of josh, so nobody's feelings were hurt.”

“The exchange was intended as a harmless josh, though the newcomer initially struggled to interpret the local sense of humour.”

Informal · Archaic