banter
nounInformal
A British English slang term. Browse all British slang.
What it means
Playful mutual teasing; the good-natured insult trading that holds British friendships together.
Invoked defensively to excuse something that has landed badly: it was only banter.
This second use has made the word contentious — it is now the standard cover for a remark the speaker doesn't want to own.
In use
There's good banter in that office.
Relax, it's just banter.
Note: Frequently a warning sign rather than a reassurance.
Other forms
- Spellings and variants:
- bants