banter
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
bantersimple
-
banterssimple
-
have banteredperfect
-
has banteredperfect
-
am banteringprogressive
-
are banteringprogressive
-
is banteringprogressive
-
have been banteringperfect progressive
-
has been banteringperfect progressive
Past
-
banteredsimple
-
had banteredperfect
-
was banteringprogressive
-
were banteringprogressive
-
had been banteringperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing banter
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
I Am Malala
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Hunger Games
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
We have good banter, but I feel like I have no choice except to move forward on my own.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026
This kind of commiseration in the form of light, joking banter exists wherever heterosexual women gather.
From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026
Vaughan later referred to various communications between Complainant A and Sir Jeffrey which, he suggested, showed a "friendly banter" at variance with the abuse allegations.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
An Arsenal fan, he’d been familiar with the Premier League’s brand of obscenity and musical banter for years.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
He watched the two anchors exchange banter with each other.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
