Meaning

(obsolete, UK, slang) A lark, a romp, some fun..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete, UK, slang) A lark, a romp, some fun.
2. (obsolete, UK, slang) A hoax, a humbug, something that is not genuine, a rigged or unfair sporting contest.
3. (obsolete, Harvard University slang) A poor recitation.
4. (UK, Australia, slang) A noisy argument.
5. (UK, Australia, slang) A minor physical fight.
6. (US dialect, Boston) A student at Harvard University.
7. (film, television) Synonym of blimp (“soundproof cover for a video camera”).
8. (obsolete, UK, slang) insane crazy, loony.

Example Sentences

"Just keep it i' thy mind," entreated the other, as a sort of parting remembrance, "ut I won thee i' fair powell—one toss an' no barney.[…]"

Blackguardly barneys called boxing competitions.

Who would believe that Mr. Gladstone shammed being ill, and that Sir Andrew Clark issued false bulletins, and that the whole thing was a barney from beginning to end.

Gary and Mum went mental, and Gary phoned them up and had a right Barney with them.

‘They had a right barney,’ Dexter said with glee, between mouthfuls. ‘Bloke wouldn′t go. Said he′d write to his MP.’

‘[…]I bet there was a right barney over her wearing a dress that exposed the rose tattoo!’ Turner concluded with a laugh.

I got stuck in the middle of a real barney between a couple of tough coppers and a handful of hairy protesters, and I didn't enjoy it one single bit.

But he doesn't seem to be so — so angry all the time, and it's ages since he and Aunt Annie had a real barney, with flying fists and screechings, that sort of thing.

Word Forms

• barneys
• more barney
• most barney
• barneying
• barneyed

Synonyms for barney

Related Words

When Should You Use Barney?

Use barney when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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