barter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'barter' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to trade goods without using money. For example, "Jake bartered his old tools for some new fishing gear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A senior Russian government official – who spoke to Reuters – said separately that Russia has started supplying grain, equipment and construction materials to Iran in exchange for crude oil under a barter deal.

The Guardian

On Monday, Miliband rejected claims that a minority Labour government would have to rely on SNP support to govern, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme he would not barter or strike deals with "a separatist party who wants to break up the country".

The Guardian

Putin signed a decree on Monday to unfreeze the ban on delivering the $800m £546mm) contract for the Russian-made S-300 missiles as Moscow forged ahead with a $20bn oil-for-goods barter deal with Tehran.

The Guardian

The old barter system is still in action".

The Guardian

Such a deal would benefit Pakistan's stuttering economy and boost those who barter chillies, mangoes and carpets over the Kashmiri line of control.

The Economist

Ever since the Russian financial collapse of 1998, the stream of Belarussians coming to Poland to barter vodka for western goods has also dried up, costing many informal jobs on the Polish side.In any event, the idea of a hermetically sealed border is probably unrealistic.

The Economist

In what Mr Audrines describes as a barter arrangement (in which the Cubans seem to get the rough end), Caracas will trade them for eight macaws, two tapirs, a puma and four capybaras.

The Economist

The authors' fiendishly complex algorithm finds the largest possible number of acceptable patient-donor matches so its outcome mimics perfectly efficient barter.

The Economist

As a result, some are turning to barter exchanges.

The Economist

In 2007 BizXchange, a barter network on America's west coast, opened a branch in Dubai.

The Economist

While acknowledging that some barter traders may indeed go under in these tough times, the IRTA's Mr Wallach claims that the failure rate of firms which use barter exchanges is lower than the average for the economy as a whole.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barter", ensure the context clearly indicates an exchange of goods or services without the use of money.

Common error

Avoid using "barter" when money is involved. If a price is set and currency is exchanged, it's a sale, not a barter.

Linguistic Context

The word "barter" primarily functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes the act of exchanging goods or services without using money. As a verb, it signifies the action of engaging in such an exchange. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "barter" is a versatile word used to describe the exchange of goods or services without the use of money, functioning as both a noun and a verb. According to Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and business. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Be sure to distinguish "barter" from simple sales where money is involved. Alternatives such as "trade", "swap", and "exchange" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swap

A more informal term for exchanging goods or services.

trade

A general term for exchanging goods or services, often on a larger scale.

exchange

A more formal term for swapping items or services.

trade goods

Focuses specifically on the exchange of physical items.

exchange services

Highlights the swapping of skills or labor.

swap commodities

Emphasizes the exchange of raw materials or primary agricultural products.

make a deal

A broader term encompassing various types of agreements, not necessarily involving direct exchange.

countertrade

A specific form of international trade involving the exchange of goods or services.

haggle

Focuses on the negotiation process to reach an agreement on the terms of exchange.

give and take

Implies a reciprocal exchange of concessions or advantages.

FAQs

How can I use "barter" in a sentence?

You can use "barter" to describe exchanging goods or services without using money. For example, "They decided to "barter" their skills for mutual benefit".

What can I say instead of "barter"?

You can use alternatives like "trade", "swap", or "exchange" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "barter" or "trade"?

"Barter" specifically implies exchanging goods or services without money, while "trade" can include monetary transactions. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "barter" and "countertrade"?

"Barter" is a general term for exchanging goods or services directly. "Countertrade" is a more complex international trade practice involving reciprocal exchanges, often between countries.