banter

American  

[ban-ter] / ˈbæn tər /

noun

1. an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks; good-natured raillery.

   Synonyms:

   persiflage, pleasantry, badinage

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verb (used with object)

• banters,
  present (3rd person singular)
• bantered,
  past participle,  past
• bantering
  present participle

1. to address with banter; chaff.

   Synonyms:

   mock, deride, ridicule, twit, tease

verb (used without object)

• banters,
  present (3rd person singular)
• bantered,
  past participle,  past
• bantering
  present participle

1. to use banter.

banter British  

/ ˈbæntə /

verb

1. to speak to or tease lightly or jokingly

---

noun

1. light, teasing, or joking language or repartee

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• banterer
  noun
• outbanter
  verb (used with object)
• unbantering
  adjective
• banteringly
  adverb
• unbanteringly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• bantering
  present
• bantered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• banter
  simple
• banters
  simple
• have bantered
  perfect
• has bantered
  perfect
• am bantering
  progressive
• are bantering
  progressive
• is bantering
  progressive
• have been bantering
  perfect progressive
• has been bantering
  perfect progressive

Past

• bantered
  simple
• had bantered
  perfect
• was bantering
  progressive
• were bantering
  progressive
• had been bantering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will banter
  simple
• will have bantered
  perfect
• will be bantering
  progressive
• will have been bantering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of banter

First recorded in 1660–70; origin uncertain

Explanation

Good friends usually banter back and forth easily, like they're trying to keep a step ahead of each other in witty responses. This type of banter is their special language of friendship. Banter is both a noun and a verb about talking. It comes from unknown origins, but even as a word, it seems to be playful and teasing. You can engage in banter with friends, siblings, parents, and even good-natured strangers. Banter usually ends with everyone feeling better for the talk and verbal play. Joking, joshing, and teasing are all related to banter.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

banter banters bantered bantering

The trio’s freewheeling banter spiced with humorous mayhem and mischief enchanted legions of viewers while bringing freshness to the familiar formula of news, weather and sports.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

Research shows small talk can boost mental health, though there’s a fine line between friendly banter and oversharing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

What they first cultivate with silly banter and lighthearted ad-libs eases into a more vulnerable, introspective atmosphere, comparable to a cathartic therapy session.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

"Terry's humour and banter was just incredible," Golding added, "it makes me laugh when I hear the man's voice".

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

“Don’t banter me,” she said, wounded at what appeared to be his flippancy.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Bergstrom, 41, spends most nights on a live-shopping app called Whatnot, where hosts like him auction collectibles in real time to an audience that simultaneously banters and bids on his goods.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026

Far from swooning as she is clearly expected to do, Bessette banters tartly and refuses to give him her number.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026

But he makes frequent appearances on Israeli TV and radio, displaying a cheerful demeanor, quit wit and knack for deflecting criticism as he banters with his hosts.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 1, 2022

She also banters with her viewers, who occasionally tell her to get back to work.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 1, 2022

The weather shakes its bundle of mysteries in our faces, and banters us with, "Don't you wish you knew?"

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 10, August, 1858 by Various

He bantered with Maher, who supports the measure, and drew applause from the studio audience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

As the stars bantered about the film, hundreds of other fans swarmed the main lobby waiting to get into the second sold-out screening.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2024

Harvick noted as much as he signed off from the Clash, where he and former teammate Bowyer bantered throughout Harvick’s second trial by fire.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2024

Welsh actors Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Jonathan Pryce bantered about who was the more Welsh on the set of their latest film, its director has said.

From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2024

I snuck a look at Deoch as he bantered with someone at the door.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

She enjoys the bantering vibe of the crews she’s on, even if she still misses working with children.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026

They would also often meet for dinner, sometimes lavish meals, gossiping and bantering over dim sum, pizza or claypot rice.

From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025

Playing outlaws on the run, cornered men whose time had passed, bickering and bantering like an old married couple who can’t imagine a life without each other, they’re perfect together.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2025

He watched as his team batted at the start of what would be a roughly five-hour match, bantering about cricket and careers with the players, who huddled on bleachers under a small square of shade.

From New York Times ● Jul. 15, 2023

I have of course already devoted much time to developing my bantering skills, but it is possible I have never previously approached the task with the commitment I might have done.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• chitchat
• gossip
• repartee
• ribbing
• small talk