Definitions
01to trade without money
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to trade something you have for something you need without using money.
v. to exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange such as money. Ambitransitive — can be used with or without a direct object.
“The farmers would often barter their extra eggs for fresh milk from the neighbours.”
“During the economic crisis, many citizens were forced to barter personal possessions for basic necessities like flour and fuel.”
02the system of trading
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the system of exchanging goods or services instead of using money.
n. the act or system of trading by direct exchange of commodities. Usually uncountable in this sense.
“Before money was invented, most people relied on barter to get what they needed.”
“The local economy shifted toward a system of barter after the national currency lost its value due to hyperinflation.”
Antonyms
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 food
they barter their tools for food
Use 'for' to indicate the item you are receiving in exchange; 'with' is used for the person you are trading with.
Etymology
Late Middle English, from Old French barater.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/barter
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0