verb
Uncommon
barter
BAH-tuh
Barter (verb) means to trade goods or services directly for other goods or services, without using money. Example: “The farmers bartered grain for tools with neighboring villages.”
verb
1
To trade goods or services directly for other goods or services, without using money.
"The farmers bartered grain for tools with neighboring villages."
"They bartered their old furniture for a used car."
noun
1
The practice or system of exchanging goods or services without money.
"Before coins were invented, barter was the main form of trade."
How to use barter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo trade something directly for another thing, instead of paying with money.
Common pairings
barter system
barter goods for services
trade and barter
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Word forms
- Plural
- barters
- Third person singular
- barters
- Past tense
- bartered
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The farmers _____ grain for tools with neighboring villages.
Etymology
From Old French barater, entering English in the late Middle Ages.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for barter
See all rhymes for barter →Frequently asked questions
What does “barter” mean?
The word “barter” means to trade goods or services directly for other goods or services, without using money. In plain terms, to trade something directly for another thing, instead of paying with money.
How do you pronounce “barter”?
“Barter” is pronounced BAH-tuh (/ˈbɑɹ.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “barter” in a sentence?
Here is “barter” used in a sentence: “The farmers bartered grain for tools with neighboring villages.”
What is another word for “barter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “barter” include chaffer, swap, swop, trade and quid pro quo.
What is the opposite of “barter”?
The opposite of “barter” — its antonyms — are buy and sell.
What part of speech is “barter”?
Depending on how it is used, “barter” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “barter” come from?
The word “barter” comes from Old French. From Old French barater, entering English in the late Middle Ages.
Is “barter” a common word?
“Barter” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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