noun
Uncommon
Barney
BAH-nee
Barney (noun) means British slang: a noisy argument or quarrel. Example: “The neighbours had a right barney over the fence line.”
noun
1
British slang: a noisy argument or quarrel.
"The neighbours had a right barney over the fence line."
"They got into a barney about who forgot to lock the door."
2
British slang: a bit of harmless fun or a lark.
"It started as a barney between mates and ended in a friendly bet."
verb
1
To argue or quarrel noisily.
"The two of them were barneying over the last slice of pizza."
How to use Barney
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishChiefly British slang for a loud argument.
Memory tip
Very informal — mostly heard in British English conversation, not written formally.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Barneys
- Third person singular
- barneys
- Past tense
- barneyed
- Comparative
- more barney
- Superlative
- most barney
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The neighbours had a right _____ over the fence line.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly from the Old English personal name Bera, or from a word meaning "grown with barley."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Barney
See all rhymes for Barney →Frequently asked questions
What does “Barney” mean?
The word “Barney” means british slang: a noisy argument or quarrel. In plain terms, chiefly British slang for a loud argument.
How do you pronounce “Barney”?
“Barney” is pronounced BAH-nee (/ˈbɑɹni/ in IPA).
How do you use “Barney” in a sentence?
Here is “Barney” used in a sentence: “The neighbours had a right barney over the fence line.”
What is another word for “Barney”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Barney” include row, have a barney, squabble and or see Thesaurus:squabble.
What part of speech is “Barney”?
Depending on how it is used, “Barney” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “Barney” come from?
The word “Barney” comes from Old English. Origin uncertain — possibly from the Old English personal name Bera, or from a word meaning "grown with barley.".
Is “Barney” a common word?
“Barney” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Barney” have?
“Barney” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: british slang: a noisy argument or quarrel.
What is the difference between a "barney" and a "row"?
Both are British informal terms for a noisy argument and are often used interchangeably. "Barney" can sound slightly more lighthearted or old-fashioned, while "row" is the more general everyday term for a heated dispute.
Is "barney" formal or informal English?
Barney is informal British slang, mostly used in casual speech rather than writing. It's not appropriate for formal contexts like reports or professional communication.
Can "barney" mean something other than an argument?
Yes, in British slang barney can also describe a bit of harmless fun or a lark, separate from its more common sense of a noisy quarrel. Context usually makes clear which meaning is intended.
How is "barney" used as a verb?
As a verb, to barney means to argue or quarrel noisily, as in "they were barneying over the bill." This verb use is less common than the noun phrase "have a barney."
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