noun
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a sharp, witty, or aphoristic remark made as a reply
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terse rapid conversation consisting of such remarks
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skill in making sharp witty replies or conversation
Etymology
Origin of repartee
1635–45; < French repartie retort, noun use of feminine past participle of repartir, Middle French, equivalent to re- re- + partir to part
Explanation
Late night talk show hosts are known for being experts at repartee, or clever conversation, with their celebrity guests. Repartee comes from the French word repartire, which is a fencing term meaning "an answering thrust with a sword." When you are engaging in repartee, you don't literally stab someone, but you come back with a quick verbal blow. Most of us aren't as quick as we'd like to be. Mark Twain defined repartee as, "something we think of 24 hours too late."
Vocabulary lists containing repartee
Jane Eyre
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Song of Myself
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Here to Stay
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a place where a police detective should have a talent for repartee, which Declan certainly does, as in this exchange with a pathologist:
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Hart keeps up a steady stream of anecdotes and witty repartee, but increasingly the mask slips; underneath it all is the yawning realization that he is utterly alone.
From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026
Trinket vendors with whom Hemingway found a passing repartee still line the sides.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2025
“They came because of her scintillating personality, wonderful laughter, repartee, great cooking and particularly her coconut cream cake,” Robert said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2024
“Me too. You wouldn’t believe the things I believe in,” I interject, sounding frantic, wanting to join in their repartee so I don’t stare at it.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
