banter

American  

[ban-ter] / ˈbæn tər /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   persiflage, pleasantry, badinage

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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 British  

/ ˈbæntə /

verb

1. to speak to or tease lightly or jokingly

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noun

1. light, teasing, or joking language or repartee

Other Word Forms

• banterer noun
• banteringly adverb
• outbanter verb (used with object)
• unbantering adjective
• unbanteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of banter

First recorded in 1660–70; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Peter Attia, the longevity guru and bestselling author who recently resigned from CBS when his sophomoric banter with Epstein came to light, copped to his blind attraction to power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

"And they'd all got the memo to play ball and deliver an opening episode full of sizzling chemistry, cheeky banter and decent anecdotes," she wrote.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Another user reported Olive had attempted "fake banter", talked about its relatives and made "fake typing sounds" while looking something up.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

“You become very aware of the — I mean a very British way of putting this — blokey banter that you’re not a part of and you kind of feel that exclusion.”

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Avrion Mitchison then rejoined us, and the conversation for a short time reverted to the casual banter of the intellectual middle class.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

• chitchat
• gossip
• repartee
• ribbing
• small talk