teasingly
/ˈtiːzɪŋli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtiːzɪŋli/ (ame, ipa)
teasingly — adverb
1. using words or actions to make fun of another person, either light-heartedly or
using words or actions to make fun of another person, either light-heartedly or with the aim of hurting them
Andrei told his sister teasingly that her new haircut made her look like a poodle.
say + teasingly + that-clause for mocking someone's appearance
"You couldn't catch a cold," Hamza said teasingly to his flatmate.
Tomás grinned teasingly at the sight of the burnt dinner on the stove.
Yael raised an eyebrow teasingly and asked her brother if he had dressed in the dark that morning.
The older pupils spoke teasingly about the shy boy's lisp, unaware how much it hurt.
- mockingly
stronger and more openly cruel; teasingly can be affectionate
- tauntingly
implies a deliberate challenge or provocation
- jokingly
lighter in tone; lacks the edge of making fun of someone specifically
文法句型
verb + teasingly
say + teasingly + that-clause
用法筆記
Frequently used with speech verbs (say, ask, tell) and verbs of facial expression (smile, grin). The tone can range from affectionate teasing among friends to deliberately cruel mockery.
常見錯誤
2. acting with the aim of arousing someone sexually, often by hinting at more than
acting with the aim of arousing someone sexually, often by hinting at more than one intends to deliver
Amihan glanced at him teasingly over the rim of her champagne glass.
glance + teasingly + at for flirtatious eye contact
Maja moved teasingly across the dimly lit dance floor, holding every eye in the nightclub.
Padma smiled teasingly and let the silk scarf slip from her shoulder.
Obi winked teasingly at the stranger sitting alone at the end of the bar.
"Wait till you see what I'm wearing," the actor whispered teasingly in her ear.
- flirtatiously
more directly about romantic play; teasingly can be more subtle
- suggestively
broader — can be non-sexual; teasingly in this sense is specifically sexual
- provocatively
stronger and more deliberately challenging
文法句型
verb + teasingly
glance + teasingly + at
用法筆記
Almost always describes behaviour meant to attract romantic or sexual attention. The subject is typically a person who is consciously performing the action.
3. behaving so as to hint at information or a surprise without giving it away, keep
behaving so as to hint at information or a surprise without giving it away, keeping people curious or amused
Wei held the concert tickets behind his back teasingly, watching his daughters bounce on their toes.
action verb + teasingly for playfully withholding an object
"I know a secret about the boss," Omar said teasingly to the crowded newsroom.
Ms. Oliveira smiled teasingly and told the class the exam results would be announced after lunch.
Tanvi tapped the picture book cover teasingly, making the children lean forward in their seats.
Chef Diego lifted the pot lid teasingly, letting the rich smell of curry fill the kitchen.
- playfully
broader; does not necessarily involve withholding information
- coyly
implies pretending shyness; teasingly is more openly mischievous
- mischievously
suggests harmless trouble-making; teasingly focuses on the hinting aspect
文法句型
verb + teasingly
say + teasingly + that-clause
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1 (MAKING FUN): here the speaker is playfully withholding something desirable — a secret, a surprise, a gift — rather than mocking anyone. The mood is light and the aim is to build anticipation.