banter

Friendly conversation in which people joke with or gently make fun of each other.

• We enjoyed some friendly banter.
• Their playful banter made everyone laugh.
• There was plenty of banter between the two old friends.

Similar words: teasing, joking

Common phrases: friendly banter, playful banter, exchange banter, witty banter

To talk with someone in a friendly way, making jokes and gently teasing each other.

• The friends bantered happily.
• He was bantering with the waiter.
• We bantered about our football teams all evening.

How to use it: banter with someone (She bantered with her colleagues during lunch.); banter about something (We bantered about our terrible cooking.)

Similar words: joke, chat playfully

Common phrases: banter with someone, banter about something, banter back and forth

To make fun of someone in a gentle, friendly way.

• She bantered him gently.
• His friends bantered him about his new haircut.
• They bantered each other without causing any hurt feelings.

How to use it: banter someone about something (They bantered him about his enormous hat.)

Similar words: tease, kid

Common phrases: banter someone gently, banter someone about something