bandy

1 of 3

verb

ban·​dy ˈban-dē 

bandied; bandying

transitive verb

1

a

: to discuss lightly or banteringly

Names of potential running mates have been bandied about.

b

: exchange

bandy compliments

especially : to exchange (words) argumentatively

c

: to toss from side to side or pass about from one to another often in a careless or inappropriate manner

A gun is not a toy to be bandied about.

d

: to use in a glib or offhand manner

—often used with about

bandy these statistics about with considerable bravado

—Richard Pollak

2

: to bat (something, such as a tennis ball) to and fro

3

archaic : to band together

intransitive verb

1

obsolete : contend

2

archaic : unite

bandy

2 of 3

noun

sports : a game similar to hockey and believed to be its prototype

bandy

3 of 3

adjective

1

of legs : bowed

2

: bowlegged

… stood beyond the bandy table …

—Dylan Thomas

bandy-legged

ˈban-dē-ˌlegd  ˌban-dē-ˈle-gəd 

-ˈlā-

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• discuss
• debate
• argue

Examples of bandy in a Sentence

Verb

bandied around the idea of going out to dinner for their anniversary

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Authenticity is a word bandied around by commissioners and execs, but in the case of the Osbournes its use feels justified. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025

Various names have been bandied around to see who would succeed Ishiba, but two prominent names have emerged: former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi and current agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025

Noun

The flask was brought in a bandy portfolj, a briefcase that traditionally contains a flask of warm wine or coffee laced with alcohol. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 30 Jan. 2018

During their royal tour of Sweden, the couple stopped by an ice rink to learn more about bandy hockey (the Swedish sport is like traditional hockey, but played with a curved stick and a ball). —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2018

Adjective

Just turn to Kate Middleton and Prince William, who were photographed playing a little bandy hockey on Tuesday in Stockholm, Sweden. —Peggy Truong, Cosmopolitan, 30 Jan. 2018

On the first day of their official visit to Sweden, Prince William and Kate Middleton met up with their hosts (and Swedish counterparts!), Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel after a morning spent watching (and playing a bit of) bandy hockey. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 30 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably borrowed from the base of French bander "to strike (a ball with a racket), stretch or draw back (a bow, spring, etc.)," going back to Old French, "to stretch, wrap with bandages," verbal derivative of bande "strip, band entry 1"

Note: The origin of the suffix -y, -ie is unclear. The noun bandie referring to a variation of tennis is of the same date and suggests a putative Middle French bandé or bandée, but no such word is attested.

Noun

earlier, "a variety of tennis," probably noun derivative of bandy entry 1

Note: See note at bandy entry 1.

Adjective

perhaps from bandy "curved stick used in the game of bandy," apparently a sense of bandy entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

1577, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

1673, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bandy

• bandy about
• bandy around
• bandy words

Rhymes for bandy

• brandy
• candy
• dandy
• grandee
• randy
• shandy

Kids Definition

bandy

1 of 2 verb

ban·​dy ˈban-dē 

bandied; bandying

1

: to exchange (words) in argument

2

: to discuss or mention in gossip or small talk

several names were bandied about

bandy

2 of 2 adjective

: curved especially outward

bandy legs

Medical Definition

bandy

adjective

ban·​dy ˈban-dē 

1

of legs : bowed outward at or below the knee

2

: bowlegged