banter
[ban-ter]
- an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks; good-natured raillery.
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- to address with banter; chaff.
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- to use banter.
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Origin of banter
First recorded in 1660–70; origin uncertain
Synonyms
See more synonyms for banter on Thesaurus.com1. badinage, joking, jesting, pleasantry, persiflage. 2. tease, twit; ridicule, deride, mock.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for banter
Contemporary Examples
They banter with Alex Trebek and tell stories of life after Jeopardy!
Miki Indyk, an Australian-Israeli living in Tel Aviv, was happy to hear the two banter.
There was plenty of time to banter before getting down to business.
During his banter on the show, he said he "would have gotten married in Costco if it had been a option."
Michelle Obama to Host National Design Award Winners; Is This the End of Prada Marfa?The Fashion Beast Team
September 19, 2013
"I'm still crying," she quipped in the "off-the-cuff" (totally scripted) banter in the segment that followed.
Historical Examples
He raised his eyes to hers; and nodded with an air of banter that was charming.
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
It was very gravely said, but she took it for banter, and giggled excessively.
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
Try not to mind the banter of your relations and friends at any possible failure.
The Skilful CookMary Harrison
Mrs. Garth's banter was not calculated to outlast this kind of assault.
The Shadow of a CrimeHall Caine
For a while I hung back and took no share in the banter that was toward.
Bardelys the MagnificentRafael Sabatini
banter
- to speak to or tease lightly or jokingly
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- light, teasing, or joking language or repartee
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Word Origin
C17: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for banter
v.
1670s, origin uncertain; said by Swift to be a word from London street slang. Related: Bantered; bantering. The noun is from 1680s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper