banter

[ ban-ter ]

/ ˈbæn tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR banter 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.

Nearby words

Origin of banter

First recorded in 1660–70; origin uncertain

SYNONYMS FOR banter

1. badinage, joking, jesting, pleasantry, persiflage. 2. tease, twit; ridicule, deride, mock.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR banter ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ban·ter·er, nounban·ter·ing·ly, adverbout·ban·ter, 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for bantering

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
In spite of his bantering tone the young inventor was pleased that his father was relaxing in a friendly game.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope|Victor Appleton

"I think it was made in Heaven," Cornlie replied, in a bantering tone.
The Law Inevitable|Louis Couperus
Here he idled, barely touched his drink, and passed the time in bantering the maid servant.
The Yotsuya Kwaidan or O'Iwa Inari|James S. De Benneville
He shrugged his shoulders, defended himself, in his bantering manner.
The Hidden Force|Louis Couperus
Rome knew the horse and knew the yell; young Jasper was "bantering" him.
A Cumberland Vendetta|John Fox, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for bantering

banter

/ (ˈbæntə) /

verb

to speak to or tease lightly or jokingly

noun

light, teasing, or joking language or repartee

Derived Formsbanterer, 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