banter

UK: /ˈbæntə^r/ US: /ˈbæntɚ/ ,(ban′tər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ban•ter /ˈbæntɚ/   n. 

[uncountable]
1. playful teasing.

v. [no object]

2. to tease playfully:
   The president bantered with reporters.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ban•ter  (ban′tər), n. 

1. an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks;
   good-natured raillery.

v.t. 

2. to address with banter;
   chaff.

v.i. 

3. to use banter.

• origin, originally uncertain 1660–70

ban′ter•er, n. 
ban′ter•ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. . badinage, joking, jesting, pleasantry, persiflage.
• 2. . tease, twit; ridicule, deride, mock.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

banter / ˈbæntə/ verb

1. to speak to or tease lightly or jokingly

noun

1. light, teasing, or joking language or repartee

Etymology: 17th Century: of unknown origin

ˈbanterer noun