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 byaway ).

   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.

Other Word Forms

• barterer noun
• outbarter verb (used with object)
• unbartered adjective
• unbartering 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

Menendez said the position gave him access to wall phones, and used the position to help him barter or gain favors.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s also a bartering and swap group where folks negotiate clever exchanges: “I have an unused air fryer. You have an unused desk chair. Want to swap?”

From Salon

They wanted to barter their old clothing, but that was a sticky prospect in Los Angeles — the scene is riddled with suspicious stares from thrift store employees and digital cold wars with teenagers on Depop.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think there was a lot of bartering," captain McIntosh says, "trying to get good deals, where we'd get breakfast and tea included."

From BBC

Scholars suggest that some of these human remains were bartered items or gifts, but others may have been taken away without the consent of their owners.

From BBC

Related Words

• haggle