tease about

USAGE SUMMARY

'tease about' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone makes fun or jokes about a person or thing, usually in a playful way. For example, "The kids at school like to tease about the new teacher's funny accent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

P11 Daniella Westbrook in Twitter tease about EastEnders return.

The Guardian

Her husband, known only as Ikrana­gara, said, "People tease about skin color all the time".

The New York Times - Magazine

From Ann Romney, we heard a tease about a love story.

The New York Times

"We do not tease about the gray at all," he said.

The New York Times

Even a tease about search from Facebook's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, last September sent the shares up.

The New York Times - Tech

"You joke around and tease about it, but you still understand that's the business part of it.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Was it that we really didn't like the behavior we were teasing about?

The New York Times

Yet the multi-player games we were teased about have failed to materialize so far.

TechCrunch

He resents being teased about going vegetarian.

The Guardian - Music

You can imagine how much we got teased about this.

The New Yorker

There is much that is teasing about Naipaul.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "tease about" can add a realistic touch to character interactions, showing camaraderie or gentle rivalry.

Common error

Avoid using "tease about" in situations where the subject matter is sensitive or the person being teased might be offended. It's best suited for light, friendly banter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tease about" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of making fun of someone or something in a playful or lighthearted manner. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tease about" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the act of making lighthearted jokes or playfully mocking someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, with an informal to neutral register, and serves to express humor and create camaraderie. Remember to use it carefully, ensuring the context and your relationship with the person being teased are appropriate. For alternative ways to express similar meanings, consider options like "make fun of" or "banter around".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make fun of

A more direct and general way of expressing the act of teasing someone or something.

poke fun at

Similar to "make fun of", but emphasizes a gentle or playful form of teasing.

rib about

Implies a good-natured and playful form of teasing, typically among friends or family.

banter around

Indicates light and playful conversation involving teasing, often among friends.

kid regarding

Suggests a friendly and lighthearted form of teasing, often used among peers.

joke regarding

Focuses on the act of joking in relation to a specific subject; slightly more formal.

jest concerning

Implies a playful or humorous remark about something, emphasizing a lighter tone.

quip with respect to

Suggests a witty or sarcastic comment made about a particular topic.

taunt concerning

Indicates a more provocative and sometimes aggressive form of teasing or mockery.

mock in relation to

Suggests a more derisive or scornful form of teasing, often with the intent to belittle.

FAQs

How can I use "tease about" in a sentence?

You can use "tease about" to describe making lighthearted jokes or playfully mocking someone or something. For example, "The siblings often "tease about" each other's quirks."

What's a more formal way to say "tease about"?

While "tease about" is generally informal, you could use phrases like "joke regarding" or "jest concerning" in more formal settings to convey a similar meaning.

Is it okay to "tease about" someone's appearance?

It depends on the relationship and the context. If you are "close to" the person and know they won't be offended, it might be acceptable. However, it's generally best to avoid commenting on someone's appearance, especially if you're unsure how they'll react.

What can I say instead of "tease about" to imply a more malicious intent?

If you want to convey a more negative or harmful intent, you could use words like "taunt concerning" or "mock in relation to".