# teasing

/ˈtizɪŋ/ (US) · /tˈiːzɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/teasing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. playfully making fun

adjective · CEFR B1

making fun of someone in a playful or slightly annoying way.

For teachers: characterised by playful or mildly provocative ridicule intended to provoke a reaction.

- He gave her a teasing smile after she made a silly mistake.
- The siblings maintained a teasing relationship well into adulthood, often using light mockery to express their underlying affection.

### 2. the act of mocking

noun · CEFR B1

the act of laughing at someone or making jokes about them.

For teachers: the act of harassing or provoking someone through ridicule or persistent annoyance.

- The boy cried because the teasing from the older kids was too mean.
- While some level of teasing is common in social groups, it can quickly escalate into bullying if the power dynamic is unbalanced.

### 3. sexually provocative

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

behaving in a way that suggests sexual interest without intending to follow through.

For teachers: intended to arouse sexual desire or interest without the intention of satisfying it.

- She sent him a teasing text message to see how he would react.
- The marketing campaign relied on teasing imagery that hinted at more than it actually revealed, a common tactic in luxury branding.

### 4. hair styling

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

combing your hair toward your head to make it look thicker.

For teachers: the process of backcombing hair to create volume or remove tangles.

- The stylist used a lot of teasing to give her hair more volume for the wedding.
- Excessive teasing can damage the hair cuticle over time, leading to breakage and a loss of natural shine.

## Examples

- She gave me a teasing smile.
- His teasing comments about my cooking made everyone laugh at dinner.
- The author's teasing tone suggests that the character's confidence is more of a defense mechanism than a genuine trait.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.