dealer
DEE-luh
Dealer (noun) means a person or business that buys and sells a particular kind of goods. Example: “The antiques dealer offered a fair price for my grandmother's old clock.”
noun
1
A person or business that buys and sells a particular kind of goods.
"The antiques dealer offered a fair price for my grandmother's old clock."
"He bought the car from a local dealer."
"She's an art dealer specialising in modern prints."
2
Someone who illegally sells drugs.
"The documentary followed a street dealer who sold drugs near the school gates."
"Residents reported a suspected dealer who was selling drugs outside the flats."
"Police arrested the dealer with a large stash of cocaine."
3
The person who distributes cards in a card game.
"The dealer gave each player five cards and placed the rest in the middle."
"After every hand, the dealer role passed to the person on her left."
"As dealer, it was her job to shuffle the deck."
How to use dealer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job is buying and selling goods (or, informally, illegal drugs), or who hands out cards in a game.
Common pairings
car dealer
drug dealer
antiques dealer
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Word forms
- Plural
- dealers
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The antiques _____ offered a fair price for my grandmother's old clock.
Etymology
From Old English daelere, built on deal plus -er, "one who deals".
Related words
Rhymes for dealer
See all rhymes for 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.
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