pleasantry

American  

[plez-uhn-tree] / ˈplɛz ən tri /

noun

plural

pleasantries

1. good-humored teasing; banter.

2. a humorous or jesting remark.

3. a courteous social remark used to initiate or facilitate a conversation.

   to exchange pleasantries.

4. a humorous action.

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pleasantry British  

/ ˈplɛzəntrɪ /

noun

1. (often plural) an agreeable or amusing remark, often one made in order to be polite

   they exchanged pleasantries

2. an agreeably humorous manner or style

3. rare enjoyment; pleasantness

   a pleasantry of life

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Etymology

Origin of pleasantry

1645–55; < French plaisanterie, Old French plesanterie. See pleasant, -ry

Example Sentences

Groups of passersby stopped outside the city’s La Carlota air base—one of the sites targeted in Saturday’s military incursion —to take photos, exchanging pleasantries as they snapped photos of the bombed site.

From The Wall Street Journal

The leaders chatted for 10 minutes, exchanging pleasantries and praising each other’s strength.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite those words, a relaxed Joshua and social media star Paul - usually known for his theatrics - exchanged pleasantries and kept it respectful with each other.

From BBC

“After my shock wears off, and we exchange brief pleasantries, I ask if we can hitch a ride back to Ashton Place. ‘Only if you can bake!’ he says.

From Literature

Mrs. Leftwich and Mama exchanged pleasantries, and I entertained myself counting and recounting the silverware.

From Literature

Related Words

• repartee
• witticism