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Banter vs Smartass - What's the difference?

banter | smartass |

As nouns the difference between banter and smartass

is that banter is good-humoured, playful, typically spontaneous conversation while smartass is one who is particularly insolent, who tends to make snide remarks or jokes.

As a verb banter

is to engage in banter or playful conversation.

As an adjective smartass is

related to or characteristic of a smartass.

banter

English

Noun

(-)
  • Good-humoured, playful, typically spontaneous conversation.
    • It seemed like I'd have to listen to her playful banter for hours.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To engage in banter or playful conversation.
  • To play or do something amusing.
  • To tease (someone) mildly.
  • * Washington Irving
    • Hag-ridden by my own fancy all night, and then bantered on my haggard looks the next day.
  • * Charlotte Brontë
    • Mr. Sweeting was bantered about his stature—he was a little man, a mere boy in height and breadth compared with the athletic Malone
  • To joke about; to ridicule (a trait, habit, etc.).
  • * Chatham
    • If they banter' your regularity, order, and love of study, ' banter in return their neglect of them.
  • To delude or trick; to play a prank upon.
  • * Daniel De Foe
    • We diverted ourselves with bantering several poor scholars with hopes of being at least his lordship's chaplain.
  • (transitive, US, Southern and Western, colloquial) To challenge to a match.

    • Synonyms

    * (tease) kid, wind up

    Derived terms

    * (l)

    References

    Anagrams

    *

    smartass

    English

    Alternative forms

    * smart ass * smart arse

    Noun

    (es)
  • (slang) One who is particularly insolent, who tends to make snide remarks or jokes.
    • Lots of luck, smartass .

    Synonyms

    * smart aleck * smart-aleck * smart alec * smart-alec

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (slang) Related to or characteristic of a smartass.
    • I have had quite enough of your smartass remarks.