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
1
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."
"He passed, dallying, the windows of Brown Thomas, silk mercers."
— James Joyce, Ulysses (1922)
How to use mercer
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- mercers
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."
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.
