banter

[ ban-ter ]

/ ˈbæn tər /

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See synonyms for: banter / bantering / banterer on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

verb (used with object)

to address with banter; chaff.

verb (used without object)

to use banter.

OTHER WORDS FOR banter

1 badinage, joking, jesting, pleasantry, persiflage.

2 tease, twit; ridicule, deride, mock.

See synonyms for banter on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of banter

First recorded in 1660–70; origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM banter

ban·ter·er, nounban·ter·ing·ly, adverboutbanter, verb (used with object)un·ban·ter·ing, adjective

un·ban·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby banter

bant, bantam, bantamweight, Bantam work, banteng, banter, ban-the-bomber, Banthine, Banting, Bantingism, bantling

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use banter in a sentence

The dialogue is witty and entertaining, with the banter between Julianna and Colt particularly enjoyable.
Don’t read this ‘Deathloop’ preview|Mike Hume|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
Only sometimes, our screen freezes, the call drops and what would have been goofy banter loses its moment.
Shall We, 5G? The High-Speed Network Changing Your World|Sohini Das Gupta|August 23, 2021|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.
Most employers shy away from mandating coronavirus vaccines|Dan Diamond|May 21, 2021|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.
The Funniest Listens of the Week|Tracy Moran|May 13, 2021|Ozy

There were no random pairings of celebrity presenters, and thus no awkward banter.
The Pandemic Oscars Were Surprisingly Decent. But Will the Academy Learn Anything From Its Break With Tradition?|Judy Berman|April 26, 2021|Time
They banter with Alex Trebek and tell stories of life after Jeopardy!
Jeopardy! Champion Julia Collins’s Brain Feels Like Mush|Sujay Kumar|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was all foreplay, however, for the best presenter banter of all time.
The Best Emmys Moments: Seth Meyers, Bryan Cranston, and a 'Seinfeld' Kiss|Kevin Fallon|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Toking up was implied by smoky backgrounds and non sequiturial banter.
‘Silicon Valley’ and the Return of Stoner Television|Rich Goldstein|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That was Kim Novak delivering that cringe-inducing banter with Matthew McConaughey.
Was the Oscars Pizza Any Good? 8 Burning Questions About the Show|Kevin Fallon|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Miki Indyk, an Australian-Israeli living in Tel Aviv, was happy to hear the two banter.
Jaffa: A Tale Of Two Lands|Lauren Gelfond Feldinger|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This unreasoning, feminine obstinacy so wrought upon him that he permitted himself a smile and a lapse into irony and banter.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
This brings to my Memory (what I cannot help smiling at) the bountiful Banter, you at this time endeavoured to put upon me.
A Letter from Mr. Cibber to Mr. Pope|Colley Cibber
"You might spare me that 'alias, the Eye' business," Black Hood said, some of his old-time banter returning.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
A joke, a banter, a bon-mot, make more impression upon the man of the world than all the grave notions of his religion.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
You love to banter; you love to give me that surname of 'Rich,' to me, now no less poor than Job.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for banter

banter

/ (ˈbæntə) /

verb

to speak to or tease lightly or jokingly

noun

light, teasing, or joking language or repartee

Derived forms of banter

banterer, noun

Word Origin for banter

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

banter

OTHER WORDS FOR banter

Origin of banter

OTHER WORDS FROM banter

Words nearby banter

Words related to banter

How to use banter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for banter

Derived forms of banter

Word Origin for banter