noun Uncommon

mercer

MUR-suh

Mercer (noun) means a merchant who deals in fabrics and cloth, especially fine or luxury textiles like silk. Example: “The mercer laid out bolts of silk for the bride to choose from.”

noun

A merchant who deals in fabrics and cloth, especially fine or luxury textiles like silk.

"The mercer laid out bolts of silk for the bride to choose from."

"His grandfather worked as a mercer on the high street before the war."

How to use mercer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old word for someone who sells cloth, especially fine fabric.

Common mistake

Rare outside historical or trade contexts (and as a surname) — you won't hear it used for a modern clothing retailer.

Common pairings

a silk mercer mercer's guild mercers and drapers

Word forms

mercers plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “mercer” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ laid out bolts of silk for the bride to choose from.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman mercer ("cloth merchant"), ultimately from Latin merx, "goods" or "merchandise."

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “mercer” mean?

The word “mercer” means a merchant who deals in fabrics and cloth, especially fine or luxury textiles like silk. In plain terms, an old word for someone who sells cloth, especially fine fabric.

How do you pronounce “mercer”?

“Mercer” is pronounced MUR-suh (/ˈmɝsɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “mercer” in a sentence?

Here is “mercer” used in a sentence: “The mercer laid out bolts of silk for the bride to choose from.”

What part of speech is “mercer”?

“Mercer” is a noun.

Where does the word “mercer” come from?

The word “mercer” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman mercer ("cloth merchant"), ultimately from Latin merx, "goods" or "merchandise.".

Is “mercer” a common word?

“Mercer” is an uncommon word in modern English.