Words / C2

BANT-uh/ˈbæntə/

Banter is friendly, teasing talk (also a verb: banter with): office banter, light banter. Chat is everyday; teasing is the manner. Facetious (already in the dictionary) is joking when you should not; a quibble (already in the dictionary) is a small pedantic point, not play. Do not close a flame risk as biscuit talk.

Meaning

Friendly, playful teasing in conversation (also a verb).

Examples

• “Banter about the biscuits is not a flame-risk close-out.”
• “Chat is everyday. Tease is the verb. Facetious is ill-timed joking (already in C2). A dated health item can be calm and still urgent. A thread about biscuits is noise. Name the owner of the door; leave the menu for the social.”

Good to know

Playful teasing talk (also a verb). Everyday: teasing / chat. Contrast: facetious (joking at the wrong time — already in C2); quibble (a nitpick — already in C2). Catering ≠ a flame.

Near in meaning

teasing, raillery, repartee, joshing

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