barter
BAR-ter
/ˈbɑːr.tər/
To exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using money.
Implies a direct trade and often requires negotiation of relative value.
The story behind the word. From the Old French 'bareter', which meant 'to deceive, cheat, or haggle'. It originally had a negative connotation of trickery before becoming a neutral term for trade.
Word relationships
- trade: Trade is a general term; barter specifically excludes money.
- swap: Swap is an informal synonym for barter.
- purchase: To acquire something by paying money.
Commonly confused with
- haggle: Haggling is arguing about the price; bartering is the act of trading without money.
Word family
- bartering (noun): The act of trading without money.
Collocations
- barter system
- barter for goods
- barter away
Example sentences
- "Before the invention of currency, most civilizations relied on a barter system to acquire what they needed." Describing ancient history.
- "I'll barter my web design skills for your accounting services." Describing a modern informal arrangement.
Memory hook
'Barter' sounds like 'bar'—you might trade a drink at a bar. Trade without money.
When not to use
Do not use when money is involved in the transaction.
Fun facts
- During the Great Depression, many people returned to bartering when cash was scarce.
Explore more words
negotiate, broker, export, negotiation, reciprocity, trade-off
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