josh

Tease with affection

Josh means to tease or joke with someone in a good-natured way: I was just joshing you.

The word implies playful ribbing rather than mean-spirited mockery.

As a noun, a josh is such a joke or bit of teasing.

The word sounds slightly dated or folksy in contemporary American speech.

teasing

banter

Playful, teasing exchange

ribCurved chest bone
chaffProtective seed coverings
needlePointed implement for sewing

kid · razz · tease · twit · roast · gibe · mock · taunt · wind-up · leg-pull

goodhumored

jovial

Cheerful and friendly

jocularInclined to jest
genialPleasantly warm-mannered
mirthfulFull of merriment

lighthearted · cheery · convivial · affable · amiable · jolly · bantering · frisky · chipper · buoyant

playful

frolic

Lighthearted playful movement

rompPlayful, spirited activity
horseplayBoisterous rough behavior
anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior

mischief · prankish · sportive · larking · clowning · foolery · skylarking · tomfoolery · hijinks · capers

Categories

humorjokes, joking, comedy, comic, funny
teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, razz
West Country dialectproper job, girt, scrumpy, tis, twas

Opposites

tone of humor

Contemptuous mocking treatment

taunt · deride · bully · insult · belittle

sincerity

Speak honestly to

Phrases

Josh Brolin
Drake and JoshNickelodeon teen sitcom
rogan joshBraised meat in red sauce
Josh Allen
Josh Hartnett
Josh Hutcherson

Family

joshing, joshed, joshes, joshers

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G