Merchant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective verb /ˈmər-chənt/ mer·chant

Meaning & Definition of Merchant

Merchant (noun)

  1. a buyer and seller of commodities for profit, trader
  2. the operator of a retail business, storekeeper
  3. one that is noted for a particular quality or activity, specialist

Merchant (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, used in, or engaged in commerce
  2. of, relating to, or used in a merchant marine

Merchant (verb)

  1. to deal or trade in
  2. to deal or trade as a merchant

Merchant (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a buyer and seller of goods for profit

    "free trade agreements that are favored by merchants on both sides of the border"

    similar: dealer, merchandiser, trader, tradesman, trafficker
    related: businessman, enterpriser, entrepreneur, buyer, marketer, purchaser, hawker, huckster, hustler, peddler, retailer, seller, shopkeeper, storekeeper, vendor, engrosser, monopolist, jobber, middleman, wholesaler, distributor, provider, provisioner, purveyor, supplier

Related Entry: Merchant ship (noun)

Merchant ship is a different word from Merchant. The synonyms below are for merchant ship, not for merchant.

  1. as in aircraft carrier, motor ship

    similar: aircraft carrier, argosy, barge, coaster, collier, containership, corvette, cruiser, cutter, destroyer, ferryboat, flagship, freighter, icebreaker, ironclad, lightship, liner, man-of-war, merchantman, motor ship, packet, steamer, steamship, superliner, supertanker, tanker, trader, tramp, transport, warship, watercraft, boat, keel, ship, vessel, bark, brig, brigantine, caravel, clipper, junk, ketch, sailboat, schooner, square-rigger, tall ship, windjammer, xebec, yacht

Related Entry: Merchant ships (noun)

Merchant ships is a different word from Merchant. The synonyms below are for merchant ships, not for merchant.

  1. as in aircraft carriers, motor ships

    similar: aircraft carriers, argosies, barges, coasters, colliers, containerships, corvettes, cruisers, cutters, destroyers, ferryboats, flagships, freighters, icebreakers, ironclads, lightships, liners, men-of-war, merchantmen, motor ships, packets, steamers, steamships, superliners, supertankers, tankers, traders, tramps, transports, warships, watercrafts, boats, keels, ships, vessels, barks, brigantines, brigs, caravels, clippers, junk, ketches, sailboats, schooners, square-riggers, tall ships, windjammers, xebecs, yachts

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Merchant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Merchant:

dealer, merchandiser, trader, tradesman, trafficker

Related Words for Merchant

businessman, enterpriser, entrepreneur, buyer, marketer, purchaser, hawker, huckster, hustler, peddler, retailer, seller, shopkeeper, storekeeper, vendor, engrosser, monopolist, jobber, middleman, wholesaler, distributor, provider, provisioner, purveyor, supplier

Word Forms of Merchant

Inflections: merchanted, merchanting, merchants

Origin & Etymology of Merchant

Middle English marchant, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *mercatant-, mercatans, from present participle of mercatare to trade, frequentative of Latin mercari market

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Merchant

Words & Phrases Containing Merchant

merchant bank, merchant marine, merchant ship, merchant seaman, commission merchant, law merchant, doom merchant

Frequently Asked Questions about Merchant

What does "Merchant" mean?

"Merchant" means a buyer and seller of commodities for profit, trader. As an a noun, an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: a buyer and seller of commodities for profit, trader.

What is another word for "Merchant"?

Other words for "Merchant" include dealer, merchandiser, trader, tradesman and trafficker. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Merchant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Merchant"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Merchant". Common alternatives include dealer, merchandiser, trader, tradesman and trafficker.

How do you use "Merchant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Merchant" in a sentence: "free trade agreements that are favored by merchants on both sides of the border".

Is "Merchant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Merchant" can be used as a noun, an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Merchant" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Merchant" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Merchant"?

"Merchant" is pronounced /ˈmər-chənt/ and divided into syllables as mer·chant.

What is the origin of the word "Merchant"?

"Merchant" comes from Middle English marchant, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *mercatant-, mercatans, from present participle of mercatare to trade, frequentative of Latin mercari market. First known use: 13th century.