tease definition

1. someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
2. the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
• examples: he ignored their teases
• examples: his ribbing was gentle but persistent
3. annoy persistently
• examples: The children teased the boy because of his stammer
4. harass with persistent criticism or carping
• examples: The children teased the new teacher
• examples: Don't ride me so hard over my failure
• examples: His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
5. to arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them
• examples: The advertisement is intended to tease the customers
• examples: She has a way of teasing men with her flirtatious behavior
6. tear into pieces
• examples: tease tissue for microscopic examinations
7. raise the nap of (fabrics)
8. disentangle and raise the fibers of
• examples: tease wool
9. separate the fibers of
• examples: tease wool
10. mock or make fun of playfully
• examples: the flirting man teased the young woman
11. ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect