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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use banter in a sentence

He cast himself, he cast lovers, ex-lovers, friends, collaborators, and his films became famous for their bantering specificity.
He’s Still Older, Even in the Moonlight: Woody Allen’s May-December Romances Inspire Scrutiny|Teo Bugbee|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Amid a din of bantering of her personality, Paltrow pulled off a charming guest arc on Glee, winning an Emmy for her work.
Why Do We Still Hate Gwyneth Paltrow?|Kevin Fallon|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Lynch avoids the packed Billy Wilder Theater to wait backstage, while Brand sits in the front row, bantering with his neighbors.
David Lynch Discusses Transcendental Meditation in Los Angeles|Sean Macaulay|April 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Maybe Miss Belding can show us something we did not know, said the principal, in his bantering way.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison

"Perhaps he would have had the cross of honour," added the bailiff, with a bantering, sarcastic air.
The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence|Eugne Sue
His face at once bold and bantering, is partially covered by a wrapper of white silk that falls upon his shoulders.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
The next day was Sunday and he lounged about the shack, sometimes reading and sometimes bantering his comrade.
The Girl From Keller's|Harold Bindloss
"You have found out something this time," he said, in a bantering tone.
Colonial Born|G. Firth Scott

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 related to banter

How to use banter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for banter

Derived forms of banter

Word Origin for banter