# Barney

/ˈbɑɹni/ (US) · /bˈɑːni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barney
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. an argument

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal · Dialect

a noisy argument or a small, non-serious fight.

For teachers: a heated verbal dispute or a minor physical scuffle. Common in British and Australian informal registers.

- The two neighbors had a bit of a barney over who should fix the broken fence.
- What started as a minor disagreement over the bill quickly escalated into a full-blown barney that disturbed the entire restaurant.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'have' (to have a barney).

Teaching tip: This term is very common in the UK and Australia but is rarely understood or used by American English speakers.

### 2. to argue

verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal · Dialect

to have a loud argument with someone.

For teachers: to engage in a noisy or heated quarrel. Intransitive use.

- They are always barneying about something, but they usually make up quickly.
- The couple spent most of their holiday barneying over the map instead of enjoying the scenery.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'about' or 'over'.

Teaching tip: The verb form is less frequent than the noun form; learners should prioritize the noun 'a barney'.

### 3. camera equipment

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a special cover put over a movie camera to make it quiet while filming.

For teachers: a soundproof housing or cover for a motion picture camera, designed to reduce the noise of the motor during recording.

- The crew put a barney on the camera so the microphone wouldn't pick up the motor noise.
- Before the silent take, the cinematographer ensured the barney was properly fitted to dampen the mechanical whine of the older camera model.

## Examples

- He was such a barney at the party.
- We left early because his friend was being a total barney and talking to everyone.
- The character’s relentless barneying at the bar served as a comedic foil to the protagonist’s quiet introspection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.