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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishSharp, witty back-and-forth conversation, or a single clever comeback.
Common pairings
witty repartee
a gift for repartee
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Word forms
- Plural
- repartees
- Third person singular
- repartees
- Past tense
- reparteed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two comedians traded _____ for the whole interview.
Etymology
From French repartie, from repartir, "to retort quickly."
Rhymes for repartee
See all rhymes for repartee →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.".
