badinage
Light verbal sparring
Badinage is playful, witty banter—light teasing exchanged between people who enjoy verbal sparring.
The word is slightly literary and suggests sophistication: Their dinner conversation was full of badinage.
Unlike mockery, badinage carries no real sting; both parties are in on the game.
Quick, clever conversation
- railleryHumorous, affectionate teasing
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- quipsBrief witty remarks
- wisecrackFlippant clever remark
witticism · riposte · comeback · retort · jesting · jocularity · persiflage · drollery
Affectionate verbal teasing
- joshingPlayful mocking
- chaffingMocking in jest
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
needling · goading · jibing · razzing · roasting · twitting · leg-pulling · kidding
Cheerful lack of worry
- whimsyPlayful, capricious quality
- frolicLighthearted playful movement
- merrimentLighthearted fun together
- levityLack of seriousness
gaiety · joviality · sportiveness · facetiousness · flirtation · coquetry · frivolity · high spirits
repartee
Quick, clever conversation
wisecrack · witticism · riposte · comeback · retort · jesting · jocularity · persiflage · drollery · punning
ribbing
Affectionate verbal teasing
taunting · needling · goading · jibing · razzing · roasting · twitting · leg-pulling · kidding · poking fun
lightheartedness
Cheerful lack of worry
- whimsyPlayful, capricious quality
- frolicLighthearted playful movement
- merrimentLighthearted fun together
levity · gaiety · joviality · sportiveness · facetiousness · flirtation · coquetry · frivolity · high spirits · tomfoolery
badinageinvective
Abusive denunciation
vituperation · abuse · vilification · tirade · verbal attack