tease meaning and definition

TEASE noun

Definition of tease (noun)

1. someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
   • synonyms: annoyer, teaser, vexer
2. a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
   • synonyms: coquette, flirt, minx, prickteaser, vamp, vamper
3. the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
   • "he ignored their teases"; "his ribbing was gentle but persistent"
   • synonyms: ribbing, tantalization, teasing

TEASE verb

Definition of tease (verb)

1. annoy persistently
   • "The children teased the boy because of his stammer"
   • synonyms: badger, beleaguer, bug, pester
2. harass with persistent criticism or carping
   • "The children teased the new teacher"; "Don't ride me so hard over my failure"; "His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie"
   • synonyms: bait, cod, rag, rally, razz, ride, tantalise, tantalize, taunt, twit
3. to arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them
   • "The advertisement is intended to tease the customers"; "She has a way of teasing men with her flirtatious behavior"
4. tear into pieces
   • "tease tissue for microscopic examinations"
5. raise the nap of (fabrics)
6. disentangle and raise the fibers of
   • "tease wool"
   • synonyms: loosen, tease apart
7. separate the fibers of
   • "tease wool"
   • synonyms: card
8. mock or make fun of playfully
   • "the flirting man teased the young woman"
9. ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect
   • synonyms: fluff