An instance of good-natured banter.
"The teammates exchanged some harmless josh before diving into their work."
In plain English: A josh is someone who likes to joke around and playfully tease others without meaning any harm.
"His constant joshing made him seem like a playful friend rather than an authority figure."
Usage: Use the noun josh to refer specifically to an instance of playful teasing, such as when friends engage in light-hearted joshing during a game night. This term is best reserved for informal situations where the intent remains clearly friendly rather than mean-spirited or aggressive.
To tease someone in a kindly or friendly fashion.
"His brother would often josh him about his messy room, but they both knew it was just their way of showing affection."
In plain English: To josh means to tease someone playfully without being mean.
"The team members started to josh about their boss's new haircut during lunch break."
A diminutive of the male given name Joshua.
"His friends often call him Josh instead of his full name, Joshua."
The word josh likely comes from the biblical figure Joshua, though its exact origins remain disputed. It first appeared in English during the mid-19th century as a playful term for joking or teasing.