Razz

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɹæz/

Definitions

1. To make fun of someone in a lighthearted or joking way ; a noise made to show mockery or disapproval, often by blowing a raspberry
2. To joke or insult in a friendly manner ; an expressive, derisive sound produced vocally or with the mouth
3. To poke fun at someone teasingly ; a vocalization or sound used to convey ridicule or contempt

Etymology: "Razz" is a clipping of "raspberry," and the link is the sound itself. The raspberry, the rude noise made by blowing through pursed lips with the tongue against the teeth, is the original expression, and "razz" was shortened from it. The verb, meaning to tease or mock in a good-natured way, grew out of that gesture of derision, so the bit of spit-flecked disrespect in the noun carried over into the verb. The word thus keeps a faint trace of its origin: to razz someone is to tease them with something close to a verbal raspberry, a deliberate, playful jeer rather than a serious insult.

Synonyms: tease, mock, ridicule

Antonyms: praise, compliment