Badinage Meaning in Context from 601 Words

Badinage meaning and definition in real context from 601 Words You Need to Know to Pass Your Exam with illustrations and synonyms. Improve your listening and reading comprehension by knowing this word.

/ˈbæd.ɪ.nɑːʒ/ (noun)

Badinage meaning

unserious remarks or conversation, banter, repartee, backchat, wordplay, playful talk, teasing, witty conversation, bon mot, witticism, kidding, quip, jesting, flippancy, raillery

Example

When I read the word badinage I could guess at its meaning from context.

It appeared in the highly-praised new novel by Susan Choi, Trust Exercise, which I’ve written about recently.

Here is how Choi used the term:

Martin and Liam and Mr. Kingsley, entirely ignoring their students, trading theatrical badinage between their improperly utilized chairs, formed not a clique, grown-ups being understood not to form cliques but another sort of unit, perhaps best called a club.

I assumed the word meant back-and-forth story-telling, in the same way that a badminton shuttlecock might travel back-and-forth across a net.

Turns out I was close, but not entirely correct. Badinage refers specifically to humorous or witty conversation.

Source of example: https://www.publicationcoach.com/

Antonyms

bullying

Leave a Comment