repartee

[ rep-er-tee, -tey, -ahr- ]

noun

1. a quick, witty reply.
2. conversation full of such replies.

   Synonyms: fencing, banter

3. skill in making such replies.

repartee

/ ˌrɛpɑːˈtiː /

noun

1. a sharp, witty, or aphoristic remark made as a reply
2. terse rapid conversation consisting of such remarks
3. skill in making sharp witty replies or conversation

Word History and Origins

Origin of repartee¹

1635–45; < French repartie retort, noun use of feminine past participle of repartir, Middle French, equivalent to re- re- + partir to part

Word History and Origins

Origin of repartee¹

C17: from French repartie , from repartir to retort, from re- + partir to go away

Related Words

• banter
• pleasantry
• rejoinder
• retort
• sarcasm
• wordplay