tantalise
gb/tˈæntəlɪs/ us/tˈæntəlɪs/
C1
English
kínoz, hiteget, felcsigáz, ingerel, csábít
VERB
C1
1
Usage pattern:
tantalise [someone] (with/by [something])
The smell of fresh bread from the bakery tantalised us as we waited outside.
A pékségből kiáradó friss kenyér illata csak kínzott minket, miközben odakint vártunk.
He tantalised the children with the present but wouldn’t let them open it yet.
Az ajándékkal kínozta a gyerekeket, de még nem engedte, hogy kibontsák.
The company tantalised investors with big promises, then delayed the launch again.
Learner examples
The smell of pizza tantalised me.
A pizza illata kínzott.
Don’t tantalise her with promises you can’t keep.
Ne hitegesd olyan ígéretekkel, amelyeket nem tudsz betartani.
Common mistake:
Often misspelled as *tantelise*; American spelling is *tantalize*.
Meaning
tease by keeping it out of reach
Collocations
tantalise someone with something
|tantalise someone by doing something
|tantalise the senses
|tantalising aroma
|tantalising scent
|tantalising promise
|tantalising prospect
|tantalising offer
|tantalising possibility
|tantalising suggestion
Synonyms
tease (More general and common; can be playful or unkind.)
|
torment (Stronger; focuses on causing distress.)
|
taunt (More openly mocking or insulting.)
|
dangle (Emphasizes offering something to control or tempt.)
Antonyms
satisfy (Gives what is wanted instead of withholding it.)
|
fulfil (Carries out a promise rather than keeping it out of reach.)
Themes
emotions
|desire
|social_interaction
Definition
To make someone want something by showing it, but not giving it to them.
To tease or torment someone by showing them something desirable or promising something, while keeping it just out of reach or not actually providing it.
VERB
C1
2
felcsigáz
B2
Usage pattern:
tantalise [someone] (with [information/a hint])
The trailer tantalised fans with quick shots of a new character but gave no plot details.
Az előzetes egy új szereplőből mutatott néhány gyors bevágást, ezzel felcsigázta a rajongókat, de a cselekményről semmit sem árult el.
She tantalised the press with a few hints about her next project.
Néhány utalással a következő projektjére felcsigázta a sajtót.
The article tantalised readers, then ended before explaining what happened.
Learner examples
The ad tantalised me with a secret offer.
A reklám felcsigázott egy titkos ajánlattal.
He tantalised us with a small clue.
Egy apró nyommal felcsigázott minket.
Meaning
arouse curiosity without details
Collocations
tantalise fans
|tantalise viewers
|tantalise readers
|tantalise the audience
|tantalise people with hints
|tantalise someone with a clue
|tantalise someone with details
|tantalising hint
|tantalising preview
|tantalising glimpse
Synonyms
intrigue (Focuses on sparking interest or curiosity, not necessarily desire.)
|
tempt (Focuses more on desire to do/have something.)
|
hint at (Neutral; does not necessarily imply strong desire or frustration.)
Antonyms
reveal (Gives full information instead of only hints.)
|
spoil (Reveals too much, removing mystery.)
Themes
media
|communication
|emotions
Definition
To make people curious by giving only a small clue.
To make someone curious or excited by giving an attractive hint or partial information without explaining or revealing everything.
VERB
C1
3
Usage pattern:
tantalise [someone]'s appetite / taste buds
The rich scent of garlic and butter tantalised everyone in the kitchen.
A fokhagyma és a vaj gazdag illata a konyhában mindenkinek meghozta az étvágyát.
The menu description was designed to tantalise diners before the first bite.
Az étlap leírását úgy írták meg, hogy már az első falat előtt meghozza a vendégek étvágyát.
A few photos online can tantalise your appetite for the trip.
Learner examples
The smell of curry tantalised my appetite.
A curry illata ingerelte az étvágyamat.
This photo tantalises me.
Ez a fotó csábít.
Meaning
stimulate appetite or senses
Collocations
tantalise the taste buds
|tantalise the palate
|tantalise the appetite
|tantalise diners
|tantalise customers
|tantalising flavours
|tantalising dish
|tantalising menu
|tantalising aroma
|tantalising description
Synonyms
whet (Often used with 'appetite'; slightly more formal.)
|
stimulate (More general and less emotional.)
|
entice (Emphasizes attracting or luring someone in.)
Antonyms
put off (Makes someone lose interest or appetite.)
|
disgust (Creates a strong negative reaction, opposite of appealing.)
Themes
food_and_drink
|sensations
|marketing
Definition
To make someone’s appetite or desire stronger.
To stimulate desire, appetite, or pleasant anticipation, especially through smells, tastes, or attractive descriptions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tantalise
IPA
GB/tˈæntəlɪs/
US/tˈæntəlɪs/
Syllables & stress
tan - tal - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tan)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: tantalise
- 3rd Person Singular: tantalises
- Present Participle: tantalising
- Past: tantalised
Expressions
a tantalising glimpse
1/ə tˈæntəlɪsɪŋ ɡlˈɪmps/
fixed phrase
brief view that makes you want more
A quick look that makes you curious and excited.
Examples
- The exhibition offers a tantalising glimpse of the artist’s early work.
- The report gave a tantalising glimpse of what the new phone can do.
- We caught a tantalising glimpse of the sea between the buildings.
Learner examples
- The video gave a tantalising glimpse of the story.
- I saw a tantalising glimpse of the new car.
tantalise the taste buds
1/tˈæntəlɪs ðə tˈeɪst bˈʌdz/
fixed phrase
make food seem excitingly delicious
To make you want to taste something delicious.
Examples
- The chef’s new sauce is meant to tantalise the taste buds with a mix of sweet and spice.
- The bakery’s display is designed to tantalise the taste buds of passers-by.
- These spices will tantalise the taste buds without being too hot.
Learner examples
- This dessert will tantalise your taste buds.
- The smell tantalised my taste buds.
tantalisingly close
1/tˈæntəlɪsɪŋli klˈoʊs/
fixed phrase
very near but not achieved
Almost done or almost reached, but not yet.
Examples
- We were tantalisingly close to finishing the project when the server crashed.
- The team came tantalisingly close to winning the final.
- The solution seemed tantalisingly close, but we couldn’t prove it.
Learner examples
- We are tantalisingly close to the end.
- She was tantalisingly close to the finish line.
tantalisingly close
1/tˈæntəlɪsɪŋli klˈoʊs/
fixed phrase
Very near to success
Almost successful, but not yet successful.
Examples
- The company is tantalisingly close to launching the product.
- We came tantalisingly close to beating our personal best.
- Investigators believe they are tantalisingly close to identifying the suspect.
Learner examples
- We were tantalisingly close to winning.
- She is tantalisingly close to finishing the report.