banter

Meaning

Noun

1. Sharp, good-humoured, playful, typically spontaneous conversation.
2. Good-humoured bits of monologue and/or conversational prompts used in any of a wide range of occupations that must frequently interact with the public (for example, store clerks, salespersons, nurses).

Verb

1. To engage in banter or playful conversation.
2. To play or do something amusing.
3. To tease (someone) mildly.
4. To joke about; to ridicule (a trait, habit, etc.).
5. To delude or trick; to play a prank upon.
6. (colloquial) To challenge to a match.
7. To haggle; cheapen the price.

Synonyms

joke

🤣

tease

jest

chaff

kid

🧒

ridicule

josh

raillery

make fun of

fun

badinage

jolly

trick

persiflage

rally

play

jeer

waggery

poke fun at

jeer at

nickname

pull one’s leg

give-and-take

mockery

taunt

sport

backchat

rib

joking

razz

refrigerate

rig

rile

roast

ruse

seductiveness

stir up

teasing

tempt

temptation

trifle

twaddle

vex

grate on

jar on

play with

play a trick

banter with

make fun of somebody

humour

take liberties with each other

japery

allure

make merry with

annoy

attraction

chafe

chatter

chuckle

chuff

cool

🆒

crack a joke

delude

deride

drivel

fascination

frivolity

gall

goad

haze

hoax

horseplay

jest at

kidding

make fun

mischief

peeve

pleasantry

practical joke

prank

pull someone’s leg

rag

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbæntə/

Etymology

1670s as verb, 1680s as noun. The origin is unknown, possibly from London street slang; ostensibly as *bant + -er (frequentative suffix). Possibly an Anglo-Gaelicism from the Irish bean (“woman”), so that "banter" means "talk of women."