ribbing
This term carries a lighthearted, social connotation when referring to teasing. It implies a level of familiarity and affection between the participants, distinguishing it from mocking or bullying, which are malicious. It is typically used in casual or semi-formal settings among friends, family, or close coworkers.
In technical or material contexts, the word describes a specific physical geometry. Whether in textiles or industrial design, it refers to a repetitive, linear pattern of ridges. In these senses, the word is often used as an uncountable mass noun to describe the general feature of a surface rather than individual ridges.
Meanings
The act of teasing someone in a good-natured or playful way.
The colleagues spent the afternoon ribbing him about his new haircut.