noun

repartee

reh-pah-TEE

Repartee (noun) means a quick, clever reply, or a conversation full of such witty exchanges. Example: “The two comedians traded repartee for the whole interview.”

noun

A quick, clever reply, or a conversation full of such witty exchanges.

"The two comedians traded repartee for the whole interview."

"Her repartee left the whole table laughing."

How to use repartee

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSharp, witty back-and-forth conversation, or a single clever comeback.

Common pairings

witty repartee a gift for repartee

Word forms

reparteed past tense, repartees plural, repartees singular

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The two comedians traded _____ for the whole interview.

Etymology

From French repartie, from repartir, "to retort quickly."

Origin: French

Rhymes for repartee

ee see bee wee nee pee fee tee zee gee vee ree

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Frequently asked questions

What does “repartee” mean?

The word “repartee” means a quick, clever reply, or a conversation full of such witty exchanges. In plain terms, sharp, witty back-and-forth conversation, or a single clever comeback.

How do you pronounce “repartee”?

“Repartee” is pronounced reh-pah-TEE (/ˌɹɛpɑɹˈteɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “repartee” in a sentence?

Here is “repartee” used in a sentence: “The two comedians traded repartee for the whole interview.”

What part of speech is “repartee”?

“Repartee” is a noun.

Where does the word “repartee” come from?

The word “repartee” comes from French. From French repartie, from repartir, "to retort quickly.".