raillery

[rey-luh-ree]

noun

plural

railleries 

1. good-humored ridicule; banter.

   Synonyms: pleasantry, chaff, badinage

2. a bantering remark.

raillery

/ ˈreɪlərɪ /

noun

1. light-hearted satire or ridicule; banter

2. an example of this, esp a bantering remark

Word History and Origins

Origin of raillery¹

1645–55; < French raillerie, equivalent to Middle French raill ( er ) to rail ² + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of raillery¹

C17: from French, from railler to tease, banter; see _rail ²

Example Sentences

The first Shakespearean phrase I underlined during this period was “skirmish of wit,” about the raillery between Beatrice and Benedick, which inspired a lifelong expectation that romance must include snark.

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French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.

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The roguery and raillery are in place, and he has a pleasing way with a song, but his instincts for clowning undermine his suavity.

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I saw their eyes bespeaking confusion at this raillery, sorrow to hear our liberator mocked thus, and anxiety at what His Lordship’s uncertainty might mean.

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Some of the raillery, while funny, feels like overkill.

Read more on Los Angeles Times