banter

¹ban·ter

verb \ˈban-tər\

Definition of BANTER

transitive verb

1

: to speak to or address in a witty and teasing manner

2

archaic : delude

3

chiefly Southern & Midland : challenge

intransitive verb

: to speak or act playfully or wittily

— ban·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

— ban·ter·ing·ly \ˈban-tə-riŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of BANTER

1. <the teacher bantered pleasantly, albeit a bit awkwardly, with the students at the school dance>

Origin of BANTER

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1653

Related to BANTER

Synonyms

joke, chaff, fool, fun, gag, jape, jest, jive, jolly, josh, kid, quip, wisecrack, yuk (or yuck) [slang]

Related Words

gibe (or jibe), haze, jeer, mock, rag, rally, razz, rib, ridicule, tease; caricature, lampoon, parody, satirize; amuse, divert, entertain

Rhymes with BANTER

antre, canter, cantor, chanter, grantor, plantar, planter, ranter

²banter

noun

Definition of BANTER

: good-natured and usually witty and animated joking

Examples of BANTER

1. I enjoyed hearing their good-natured banter.
2. <members of the Algonquin Round Table were known for their brilliant and witty banter>

First Known Use of BANTER

1688

Related to BANTER

Synonyms

backchat, badinage, chaff, give-and-take, jesting, joshing, persiflage, raillery, repartee

Related Words

barb, crack, dig, gag, gambit, jest, joke, laugh, pleasantry, quip, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism; drollness, facetiousness, funniness, hilariousness, humorousness, richness; fooling, kidding, mocking, razzing, ribbing, ridiculing; humor, wit, wordplay; nothings; chatter, chitchat, gossip, small talk

Rhymes with BANTER

canter, ranter