repartee

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a quick, witty reply

   Her repartee ended the heckler's interruption with a laugh.

2. 2
   noun

   conversation consisting of a rapid exchange of witty remarks

   The interview soon became lively repartee between two practiced comedians.

3. 3
   noun

   skill in making quick and witty replies

   Years of debate sharpened his repartee.

Borrowed from French repartie, 'a reply or retort,' a noun from repartir, 'to answer promptly.' English first used repartee for a sharp reply, then for an exchange of such replies and for the conversational skill itself.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
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