Bantling means: A brat.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
(archaic, derogatory) A brat.
For parents
Bantling means: A brat.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
bantling means: A brat.. Register: archaic, historical. Almost never used today; you will find it only in older texts, dictionaries of dialect, or historical writing. Avoid in active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(archaic) A bastard-child.
"You!--half-grown, venison-hunting bantling!..."
Cluster: general
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK
(archaic, UK, _, dialectal) An infant or young child.
And I even question whether any tender virgin, who was accidentally and unaccountably enriched with a bantling, would save her character at parlour fire-sides and evening tea-parties, by ascribing the phenomenon to a swan, a shower of go…
Origin: . Perhaps from , or a modification of , equivalent to. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Cluster: child
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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UK
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Other words near "bantling" (B)
banquet burgerbansheebansticklebanterBantersaurus Rexbantingbantsbantustanbantybanwavebanyanbanyan day
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