banter

Everyday

1. Friendly, playful teasing and joking talk between people: the friends' banter. tree →
2. (verb) To talk in this friendly, joking way. tree →
3. (UK slang, "bants" or "just banter") Jokes that are meant to be funny, though sometimes they hurt. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and stories banter shows friends who are relaxed together. In safety and kindness lessons pupils learn that if a joke hurts someone or is about how they look, it is not banter but unkindness or bullying, even if someone says "it's just banter". Phrases: friendly banter, a bit of banter, it was only banter, bants (slang).

Examples

• There was friendly banter between the two teams before the match. tree →
• Dad and Grandad banter about football every Sunday. tree →
• The shopkeeper bantered with the customers. tree →
• (UK slang) "Don't get upset, it's just bants." tree →
• If it hurts someone's feelings, it isn't banter anymore. tree →
• The class enjoyed the teacher's banter. tree →
• (Ireland) The craic and banter at the party were great. tree →
• Several others bantered the old man, but he appeared to be in a good humor. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: "some banter", not "a banter". "Bants" is UK slang. Banter should be fun for everyone; using "only banter" as an excuse for unkind words is a trap.