noun Uncommon

banter

BAN-tuh

Banter (noun) means light, good-humoured teasing conversation exchanged between people who know each other well. Example: “There was a lot of friendly banter between the two teams before kickoff.”

noun

Light, good-humoured teasing conversation exchanged between people who know each other well.

"There was a lot of friendly banter between the two teams before kickoff."

"The radio hosts kept up a stream of easy banter between songs."

verb

To exchange playful, teasing remarks with someone.

"The old friends bantered about whose cooking was worse."

"She bantered with the waiter while deciding what to order."

How to Use Banter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCheerful, joking back-and-forth talk — not a real argument, just friendly ribbing.

Memory tip

Banter is always light-hearted. If someone gets genuinely upset, it has stopped being banter.

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Common pairings

friendly banter exchange banter banter back and forth

Word Forms

bantered past tense, banters singular

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Fill the Gap

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There was a lot of friendly _____ between the two teams before kickoff.

Etymology

First recorded in the 1670s (as a verb) and 1680s (as a noun). The exact origin is unclear — it may have started as London street slang, and some think it comes from an Irish phrase meaning "talk of women."

Origin: Irish · First attested 1670

Class of 1670 banter joined the language around 1670.

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Rhymes for banter

canter planter decanter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “banter” mean?

The word “banter” means light, good-humoured teasing conversation exchanged between people who know each other well. In plain terms, cheerful, joking back-and-forth talk — not a real argument, just friendly ribbing.

How do you pronounce “banter”?

“Banter” is pronounced BAN-tuh (/ˈbæntɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “banter” in a sentence?

Here is “banter” used in a sentence: “There was a lot of friendly banter between the two teams before kickoff.”

What part of speech is “banter”?

Depending on how it is used, “banter” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “banter” come from?

The word “banter” dates back to around 1670 and comes from Irish. First recorded in the 1670s (as a verb) and 1680s (as a noun). The exact origin is unclear — it may have started as London street slang, and some think it comes from an Irish phrase meaning "talk of women.".

Is “banter” a common word?

“Banter” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “banter” have?

“Banter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: light, good-humoured teasing conversation exchanged between people who know each other well.

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Vocabulary lists that include banter:

Words With Celtic Origins