josh

name

1. A diminutive of the male given name Joshua.

   “Senators Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren are teaming up on a bill that targets pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as the health care industry faces growing scrutiny following last week's shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO.”

2. A city mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

noun

1. An instance of good-natured banter.

verb

1. (transitive)To tease someone in a kindly or friendly fashion.

   “"My dear Polly. I welcome criticism, but this is mere——" Lady Wetherby stroked his coat sleeve fondly. "Never mind, Algie, I was only joshing you, precious.[…]"”

2. (intransitive)To make or exchange good-natured jokes.

   “We are old friends, did I not tell you? So I may, what you Americans call, josh with him.”

   ““Cut that joshing out,” she said, coolly and briskly. “Who do you think you are talking to? Your check, please. Oh, Lordy!—””

   “Boris, it seems, is taking it in this spirit, joshing beneath his ever-redeeming barnet that Labour's opposition to military action in Syria is a fey stance that he, as GQ politician of the year, would never be guilty of.”