dealer
9 synonyms for dealer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person or business that buys and sells a particular kind of goods.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use dealer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
car dealer
drug dealer
antiques dealer
Etymology
From Old English daelere, built on deal plus -er, "one who deals".
Full origin of dealer →Frequently asked questions
What does “dealer” mean?
The word “dealer” means a person or business that buys and sells a particular kind of goods. In plain terms, someone whose job is buying and selling goods (or, informally, illegal drugs), or who hands out cards in a game.
How do you pronounce “dealer”?
“Dealer” is pronounced DEE-luh (/ˈdiːlə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “dealer” in a sentence?
Here is “dealer” used in a sentence: “He bought the car from a local dealer.”
What part of speech is “dealer”?
“Dealer” is a noun.
Where does the word “dealer” come from?
The word “dealer” comes from Old English. From Old English daelere, built on deal plus -er, "one who deals".
Is “dealer” a common word?
“Dealer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “dealer” have?
“Dealer” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or business that buys and sells a particular kind of goods.
What is the difference between a dealer and a broker?
A dealer buys and sells goods on their own account, taking ownership of the stock they trade. A broker arranges deals between other parties without owning the goods, earning a commission for making the connection.
What is the difference between a dealer and a distributor?
A distributor supplies goods in bulk to retailers and dealers within a supply chain. A dealer usually sells directly to the end customer, so a car dealer sells vehicles to the public while a distributor supplies the dealers.
What is the difference between a dealer and a retailer?
The terms overlap, but a dealer often specializes in one particular kind of goods and may trade in both new and used items, such as a car or antiques dealer. A retailer is a more general term for any business selling goods to the public.
Does 'dealer' always mean someone who sells drugs?
No. The main meaning of dealer is a person or business that buys and sells a particular kind of goods, such as an art dealer or car dealer. It only means an illegal drug seller when the context makes that clear.
