banter
Light verbal sparring
Banter is playful, teasing conversation between people who enjoy verbal sparring.
Good banter requires quick wit and mutual understanding—it should amuse rather than wound: Their banter kept the whole table laughing.
The verb works the same way: We bantered back and forth all evening.
Banter gone wrong crosses into mockery.
Affectionate verbal teasing
- joshingPlayful mocking
- raggingMocking someone persistently
- needlingPersistent mild taunting
- roastingCooking with dry heat
chaffing · poking fun · mocking · taunting · goading · winding up · taking the mickey · razzing
Informal verbal exchange
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- back-and-forthAlternating reciprocal motion
repartee · gabbing · small talk · confab · tête-à-tête · palaver · shooting the breeze · verbal sparring
Saying things in fun
- jestingPlayful, unserious speech
- kiddingTeasing playfully
- horsing aroundEngaging in boisterous play
- frivolityUnserious, lighthearted conduct
good-natured · light-hearted · jovial · mirthful · merriment · levity · fun · silliness
Affectedly modest
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
coquettish · playful · charming · cheeky · saucy · witty · flattery · chemistry
Brief witty remarks
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- wisecracksClever, mocking remarks
- one-linersBrief comedic remarks
- zingersClever cutting remarks
retorts · comebacks · bon mots · ripostes · puns · sharp tongue
ribbing
Affectionate verbal teasing
roasting · chaffing · poking fun · mocking · taunting · goading · winding up · taking the mickey · razzing · trash talk
chat
Informal verbal exchange
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
back-and-forth · repartee · gabbing · small talk · confab · tête-à-tête · palaver · shooting the breeze · verbal sparring · interplay
joking
Saying things in fun
- jestingPlayful, unserious speech
- kiddingTeasing playfully
- horsing aroundEngaging in boisterous play
frivolity · good-natured · light-hearted · jovial · mirthful · merriment · levity · fun · silliness · larking
coy
Affectedly modest
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
suggestive · coquettish · playful · charming · cheeky · saucy · witty · flattery · chemistry · spark
quips
Brief witty remarks
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- wisecracksClever, mocking remarks
- one-linersBrief comedic remarks
zingers · retorts · comebacks · bon mots · ripostes · puns · sharp tongue
camaraderie
Goodwill among companions
- bondingForming close connections
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- friendlyShowing kindness, warmth
warmth · affection · familiarity · connection · easygoing · relaxed · amicable · chummy · matey · collegiality
banterargument
Reasoned case or dispute
quarrel · verbal abuse · hostility · abuse · insults
- witty banterPlayful clever conversation
- playful banterLighthearted teasing exchange
- locker room banterCrude speech in athletic spaces
- flirty banterPlayful, suggestive conversation
- clever banterWitty conversational exchange
- stage banterTalk during live shows