banter
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for banter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Light, good-humoured teasing conversation exchanged between people who know each other well.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use banter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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."
Full origin of banter →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.