barter

[ bahr-ter ]

verb (used without object)

1. to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money.

   Synonyms: traffic

verb (used with object)

1. to exchange in trade, as one commodity for another; trade.

   Synonyms: traffic

2. to bargain away unwisely or dishonorably (usually followed by away ):

   bartering away his pride for material gain.

noun

1. the act or practice of bartering.
2. items or an item for bartering:

   We arrived with new barter for the villagers.

barter

/ ˈbɑːtə /

verb

1. to trade (goods, services, etc) in exchange for other goods, services, etc, rather than for money

   the refugees bartered for food

2. intr to haggle over the terms of such an exchange; bargain

noun

1. trade by the exchange of goods

barter

1. The exchange of goods or services for other goods or services, rather than for money.

Derived Forms

• ˈbarterer, noun

Other Words From

• barter·er noun
• outbarter verb (used with object)
• un·bartered adjective
• un·barter·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of barter¹

1400–50; late Middle English, apparently < Anglo-French, Old French bareter, barater ( barrator ), with shift of sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of barter¹

C15: from Old French barater to cheat; perhaps related to Greek prattein to do

Synonym Study

See trade.

Example Sentences

People could also barter for health services with seedlings or manure, to be used for forest restoration and farming.

From Salon

Among Burke’s epigrams are such unexceptionable Rotary Club maxims as “All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter,” and “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

From Salon

But she says, “I love to barter.”

From Los Angeles Times

“You can purchase drugs, you can purchase stolen goods, you can barter, right?”

From Seattle Times

“It just ballooned into this incredible, like, barter town,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haggle