noun
Uncommon
barker
BAHK
Barker (noun) means a person who loudly calls out to attract customers, especially at a fair, market, or carnival. Example: “The barker outside the tent shouted about the world's strongest man inside.”
noun
1
A person who loudly calls out to attract customers, especially at a fair, market, or carnival.
"For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth."
— David Simpson, Fantasy of navigation (2013)
"The barker outside the tent shouted about the world's strongest man inside."
How to use barker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job is to shout and draw a crowd, typically at a fairground or sideshow.
Common pairings
carnival barker
sideshow barker
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Word forms
- Plural
- barkers
Fill the gap
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The _____ outside the tent shouted about the world's strongest man inside.
Etymology
From "bark" (to make loud noise) plus the agent suffix "-er."
Related words
Rhymes for barker
See all rhymes for barker →Frequently asked questions
What does “barker” mean?
The word “barker” means a person who loudly calls out to attract customers, especially at a fair, market, or carnival. In plain terms, someone whose job is to shout and draw a crowd, typically at a fairground or sideshow.
How do you pronounce “barker”?
“Barker” is pronounced BAHK (/ˈbɑː(ɹ)kɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “barker” in a sentence?
Here is “barker” used in a sentence: “The barker outside the tent shouted about the world's strongest man inside.”
What part of speech is “barker”?
“Barker” is a noun.
Is “barker” a common word?
“Barker” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a barker and a tout?
A barker is someone who calls out loudly to attract customers, especially at a fair or carnival, while a tout more specifically tries to sell tickets or persuade people to buy, sometimes aggressively. Barker carries a traditional showground connotation, whereas tout is often used for street or event selling.
What is a "carnival barker"?
A carnival barker is a performer or vendor stationed outside a sideshow or attraction who calls out to passersby to draw them in. The phrase pairs "carnival" with barker to specify the fairground setting.
Is barker used outside of fairs and carnivals?
Yes, barker can extend figuratively to anyone who loudly promotes something to attract attention, such as a salesperson shouting about deals. The core sense always keeps the idea of loud, public calling-out to draw a crowd.
What is the difference between a barker and an auctioneer?
A barker calls out to attract people to a stall or show, while an auctioneer conducts the actual bidding process for items being sold. Both rely on loud, rapid speech, but an auctioneer's job centers on managing the sale itself, not just drawing a crowd.
