ban ‧ ter /ˈbæntə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
friendly conversation in which people make a lot of jokes with, and amusing remarks about, each other
friendly/good-natured/light-hearted banter banter with/between
easy banter between her cousins
—banter verb [intransitive] :
I watched the guys as they bantered with the waitresses.
—bantering adjective
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THESAURUS
▪ conversation noun [uncountable and countable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts:
I was having a conversation with a friend the other day.
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Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.
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He overheard our conversation about the children.
▪ discussion noun [uncountable and countable] a conversation about something important:
There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.
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The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.
▪ talk noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do:
We had a long talk about our relationship.
▪ chat noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation:
I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.
▪ natter noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things:
Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.
▪ gossip noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true:
She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.
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It’s all just gossip.
▪ small talk noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous:
We stood around making small talk about the weather.
▪ banter noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other:
She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.