teasing

Everyday

1. Teasing is making fun of someone or annoying them with words or tricks, sometimes in a friendly way and sometimes in a hurtful way. tree →
2. Teasing can also mean playfully trying to make an animal or person want something. tree →

In the lessons

In school and feelings, friendly teasing is gentle and both people laugh; hurtful teasing about looks, names or families makes someone sad and can become bullying. If teasing hurts, tell the person to stop and tell an adult. In safety, teasing animals (pulling tails, waving food) can make them bite. In stories, older siblings often tease the youngest.

Examples

• The teasing stopped when the teacher came in. tree →
• His teasing made her cry. tree →
• It was just friendly teasing; we were both laughing. tree →
• Stop teasing the dog; it might bite. tree →
• Teasing about someone's clothes is unkind. tree →
• He gave her a teasing smile. tree →
• If the teasing doesn't stop, tell an adult. tree →
• But she was not teasing him; those times were past. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: «teasing», not «a teasing». Verb «tease» (teased, teasing; drop the e). Friendly teasing becomes bullying when it is repeated and someone is hurt. A «tease» is also a person who teases.