banter

[ ban-ter ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: persiflage, pleasantry, badinage

verb (used with object)

1. to address with banter; chaff.

   Synonyms: mock, deride, ridicule, twit, tease

verb (used without object)

1. to use banter.

banter

/ ˈbæntə /

verb

1. to speak to or tease lightly or jokingly

noun

1. light, teasing, or joking language or repartee

Derived Forms

• ˈbanterer, noun

Other Words From

• banter·er noun
• banter·ing·ly adverb
• outbanter verb (used with object)
• un·banter·ing adjective
• un·banter·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of banter¹

First recorded in 1660–70; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of banter¹

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The dialogue is witty and entertaining, with the banter between Julianna and Colt particularly enjoyable.

From Washington Post

Only sometimes, our screen freezes, the call drops and what would have been goofy banter loses its moment.

From Ozy

There’s been a lot of political banter during the pandemic that’s made it very hard at points for us to have a consistent public health message regarding mitigation strategies and vaccination.

From Washington Post

Perhaps the crown jewel has been SmartLess, with hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, who bring listeners along for an entertaining ride of witty banter, inside jokes and A-list guests.

From Ozy

There were no random pairings of celebrity presenters, and thus no awkward banter.

From Time

They banter with Alex Trebek and tell stories of life after Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

It was all foreplay, however, for the best presenter banter of all time.

From The Daily Beast

Toking up was implied by smoky backgrounds and non sequiturial banter.

From The Daily Beast

That was Kim Novak delivering that cringe-inducing banter with Matthew McConaughey.

From The Daily Beast

Miki Indyk, an Australian-Israeli living in Tel Aviv, was happy to hear the two banter.

From The Daily Beast

This unreasoning, feminine obstinacy so wrought upon him that he permitted himself a smile and a lapse into irony and banter.

From Project Gutenberg

This brings to my Memory (what I cannot help smiling at) the bountiful Banter, you at this time endeavoured to put upon me.

From Project Gutenberg

"You might spare me that 'alias, the Eye' business," Black Hood said, some of his old-time banter returning.

From Project Gutenberg

A joke, a banter, a bon-mot, make more impression upon the man of the world than all the grave notions of his religion.

From Project Gutenberg

You love to banter; you love to give me that surname of 'Rich,' to me, now no less poor than Job.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• taunt