teaser

/ˈtizər/

/ˈtizə/

Other forms: teasers

The nearly impossible puzzle your math teacher gives for extra credit can be called a teaser — a tricky problem to solve.

A mystifying problem is one kind of teaser — another is a person who loves to tease. Your nose-grabbing, practical joking uncle is a teaser, especially if he enjoys gently mocking or making fun of you. Yet another teaser is the kind that opens a TV show — sort of a sneak preview of the story to come. This is closest to the original meaning of teaser, from 1934, "an introductory advertisement or sample."

Definitions of teaser

1. noun

   an advertisement that offers something free in order to arouse customers' interest
   type of:

   ad, advert, advertisement, advertising, advertizement, advertizing

   a public promotion of some product or service
2. noun

   an attention-getting opening presented at the start of a television show
   type of:

   opening

   the initial part of the introduction
3. noun

   someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)
   synonyms: annoyer, tease, vexer

   type of:

   persona non grata, unwelcome person

   a person who for some reason is not wanted or welcome
4. noun

   a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution
   synonyms: mystifier, puzzle, puzzler

   types:

   sudoku

   a number puzzle in which the numbers 1 through 9 must be placed into a grid of cells so that each row or column contains only one of each number

   acrostic, word square

   a puzzle where you fill a square grid with words reading the same down as across

   type of:

   problem

   a question raised for consideration or solution
5. noun

   a worker who teases wool
   type of:

   worker

   a person who works at a specific occupation
6. noun

   a device for teasing wool
   “a teaser is used to disentangle the fibers”

   type of:

   device

   an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
7. noun

   a flat at each side of the stage to prevent the audience from seeing into the wings
   synonyms: tormenter, tormentor

   type of:

   flat

   scenery consisting of a wooden frame covered with painted canvas; part of a stage setting