tease

¹tease

transitive verb \ˈtēz\

teasedteas·ing

Definition of TEASE

1

a : to disentangle and lay parallel by combing or carding <tease wool>

b : teasel

2

: to tear in pieces; especially : to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination

3

a : to disturb or annoy by persistent irritating or provoking especially in a petty or mischievous way

b : to annoy with petty persistent requests : pester; also : to obtain by repeated coaxing

c : to persuade to acquiesce especially by persistent small efforts : coax

d : to manipulate or influence as if by teasing

e : to make fun of : kid

4

: to comb (hair) by taking hold of a strand and pushing the short hairs toward the scalp with the comb

5

: to tantalize especially by arousing desire or curiosity often without intending to satisfy it

— teas·ing·ly \ˈtē-ziŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of TEASE

1. He and his wife enjoy teasing each other about their different tastes in music.
2. The other children teased her because she was wearing braces.
3. He was always teased by his brother about being short.
4. Oh, don't get so angry. I was just teasing!
5. The boy's mother told him to stop teasing the dog.

Origin of TEASE

Middle English tesen, from Old English tǣsan; akin to Old High German zeisan to tease

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TEASE

Synonyms

chaff, jive, joke, josh, kid, rally, razz, rib, ride, roast, goof on [slang], take the mickey out of [British], make game of, pick on

Related Words

banter; fool, fun, string along; jest, quip, wisecrack; gag, jape, jolly, yuk (or yuck) [slang]

See Synonym Discussion at worry

Rhymes with TEASE

breeze, cheese, ease, feeze, freeze, frieze, jeez, lees, please, res, seize, sneeze, squeeze, tweeze, wheeze

²tease

noun

Definition of TEASE

1

: the act of teasing : the state of being teased

2

: one that teases

Examples of TEASE

1. a pretty girl who has the reputation of being a bit of a tease
2. The lower rate is just a tease to attract new customers.

First Known Use of TEASE

1680

Related to TEASE

Synonyms

baiter, harasser, heckler, mocker, needler, persecutor, quiz, quizzer, ridiculer, taunter, tormentor, teaser, torturer

Related Words

belittler, derider, detractor, giber (or jiber), insulter, jeerer, scoffer, scorner; trash-talker; smart aleck (also smart alec), smarty (or smartie), smarty-pants, wiseacre, wiseguy; kidder, lampooner, satirist; accuser, blamer, troublemaker; assailant, attacker, molester, victimizer; bother, disturber, pest

Near Antonyms

defender, deliverer, guard, protector, rescuer, savior (or saviour); comforter, consoler, solace, soother, succorer; bodyguard, champion

tease

transitive verb \ˈtēz\   (Medical Dictionary)

teased; teas·ing

Medical Definition of TEASE

: to tear in pieces; especially : to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination