ENGLISH
REFERENCE

barter

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɑɹtɝ// UK //bˈɑːtɐ// barter

v. to trade goods or services for other things instead of using money. You use this when you swap something you have for something you need.

v. to exchange goods or services directly for other commodities without the use of a medium of exchange such as money. Often used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the item received.


SIMPLE

The farmers often barter their vegetables for fresh eggs.

CONTEXTUAL

In the absence of a stable currency, local residents began to barter household items for essential food supplies.

COMPLEX

During the economic collapse, a sophisticated shadow economy emerged where citizens would barter professional services, such as legal advice or medical care, for fuel and hardware.

Synonyms
Origin

Late Middle English, from Old French barater.

Usage

The verb is often used with 'for' (to barter X for Y) or 'with' (to barter with someone).

Pitfall

they barter their tools with foodthey barter their tools for foodUse 'for' to indicate the item you are receiving in exchange; 'with' is used for the person you are trading with.

© 2026 English Reference