Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: Banter

What does it mean?

Playful, friendly jokes or teasing between people who know each other.

Is it positive or negative?

Positive when light-hearted; can become negative if it goes too far.

When do you use it?

When describing friendly teasing or humour among friends, colleagues, or family.

Examples

Example 1: There was loads of banter in the office this morning.

Example 2: It's all just a bit of banter-don't take it seriously!

Question for you

Do you enjoy friendly banter, or do you find it uncomfortable?

Are you looking for English speaking practice online?

Good banter is a big part of British conversation, but tone matters. I help you get it right in online English lessons with a British native speaker. See how it compares with take the piss. Find out more here.