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
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I Am Malala
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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.
By 11 p.m., the nodes of Kyiv’s subway had turned into underground towns, with regulars, newbies, friendly banter and occasional disputes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026
None of that is great for banter between two characters.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026
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
She handed them to me, took my bill and gave me change with no sign of recognition, none of the banter of previous days.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
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.
