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noun Uncommon

Chapman

CHAP-muhn
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Chapman (noun) means an old-fashioned word for a trader or merchant, especially one who travelled from place to place selling goods. Example: “A century ago, a chapman might have gone door to door selling pins, ribbons, and almanacs.”

noun
1
An old-fashioned word for a trader or merchant, especially one who travelled from place to place selling goods.
"A century ago, a chapman might have gone door to door selling pins, ribbons, and almanacs."
"The village chapman carried his wares in a pack on his back."
2
A buyer or customer.
"The old contract still uses "chapman" to mean the party purchasing the goods."

How to use Chapman

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old term, now mostly historical, for a travelling merchant or pedlar.

Common mistake

Rarely used in everyday modern speech outside historical writing — most people today only encounter it as a surname.

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Word forms

Plural
chapmen
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A century ago, a _____ might have gone door to door selling pins, ribbons, and almanacs.

Etymology

From Middle English chapman ("trader"), a compound of cheap (in its old sense of "buying and selling," as in Cheapside) and man. It shares this root with the surnames Kaufman and Koopman.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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peddler hawker trader merchant pedlar

Related words

market dealer merchant seller businessman vendor trader drummer

Frequently asked questions

What does “Chapman” mean?
The word “Chapman” means an old-fashioned word for a trader or merchant, especially one who travelled from place to place selling goods. In plain terms, an old term, now mostly historical, for a travelling merchant or pedlar.
How do you pronounce “Chapman”?
“Chapman” is pronounced CHAP-muhn (/ˈt͡ʃæpmən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Chapman” in a sentence?
Here is “Chapman” used in a sentence: “A century ago, a chapman might have gone door to door selling pins, ribbons, and almanacs.”
What part of speech is “Chapman”?
“Chapman” is a noun.
Where does the word “Chapman” come from?
The word “Chapman” comes from Middle English. From Middle English chapman ("trader"), a compound of cheap (in its old sense of "buying and selling," as in Cheapside) and man. It shares this root with the surnames Kaufman and Koopman.
Is “Chapman” a common word?
“Chapman” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Chapman” have?
“Chapman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old-fashioned word for a trader or merchant, especially one who travelled from place to place selling goods.
What is the difference between a chapman and a peddler?
Both describe a traveling trader who sells goods from place to place. Chapman is the older, chiefly British term, while peddler is the more general and modern word for the same kind of trader.
Is chapman formal, archaic, or modern English?
Chapman is an old-fashioned word rarely used in modern English, mostly appearing in historical or literary contexts.
Can chapman also mean a customer rather than a seller?
Yes. Alongside its meaning of a traveling trader or merchant, chapman can also mean a buyer or customer.

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