Dealers: meaning, definitions and examples

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dealers

 

[ ˈdiː.lər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

business

A person or company that buys and sells goods or services for profit.

Synonyms

merchant, trader, vendor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dealers

This is just the plural form of 'dealer' and is used when talking about multiple people who are involved in buying and selling items.

  • The jewelry dealers at the market have a wide variety of items.
  • Many car dealers attended the auto show this year.
trader

Typically refers to someone engaged in the buying and selling of financial assets like stocks, bonds, or commodities. Can also refer to those involved in trade between different regions or countries.

  • She is an experienced stock trader on Wall Street.
  • Traders from various countries gathered at the fair.
merchant

Refers to someone who is involved in wholesale trade, particularly in olden times or when the trade involves large quantities. Often used in formal or historical contexts.

  • The merchant ships arrived with spices and silk.
  • This town once thrived because of its rich merchants.
vendor

Usually refers to someone who sells goods, often in smaller quantities or at specific places like markets or street corners. It can also apply to sellers of services or products in general.

  • We bought fresh fruit from a vendor at the farmer’s market.
  • The software vendor provided excellent customer support.

Examples of usage

  • The art dealers were looking for valuable paintings to add to their collection.
  • The drug dealers were arrested by the police during a sting operation.
Context #2 | Noun

drugs

A person who sells illegal drugs.

Synonyms

drug trafficker, pusher.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dealers

This term is generally used to describe individuals or businesses that buy and sell goods or services. It does not have a negative connotation and can be used in various contexts, such as car sales, art, or collectibles.

  • The car dealers were offering significant discounts during the holiday season.
  • He is one of the leading art dealers in the city.
pusher

This term is used informally to describe someone who sells illegal drugs on a small scale, often directly to users. It carries a negative connotation and suggests criminal activity.

  • The neighborhood was plagued by a pusher selling drugs to teenagers.
  • The police are cracking down on pushers to curb the spread of illegal substances.
drug trafficker

This term specifically refers to individuals or groups involved in the illegal transportation and distribution of drugs. It has a strong negative connotation and is often used in legal or law enforcement contexts.

  • The authorities arrested a notorious drug trafficker at the border.
  • Drug traffickers are known to operate discreetly to avoid detection.

Examples of usage

  • The police conducted a raid and arrested several drug dealers in the neighborhood.
  • The undercover agent infiltrated the drug dealer's network to gather evidence.

Translations

Translations of the word "dealers" in other languages:

🇵🇹 negociantes

🇮🇳 विक्रेता

🇩🇪 Händler

🇮🇩 penjual

🇺🇦 дилери

🇵🇱 dealerzy

🇯🇵 ディーラー

🇫🇷 commerçants

🇪🇸 comerciantes

🇹🇷 satıcılar

🇰🇷 딜러

🇸🇦 تجار

🇨🇿 prodejci

🇸🇰 predajcovia

🇨🇳 经销商

🇸🇮 trgovci

🇮🇸 sölumenn

🇰🇿 сатушылар

🇬🇪 გამყიდველები

🇦🇿 satıcılar

🇲🇽 comerciantes

Etymology

The word 'dealer' originated from the Middle English 'dele' meaning 'divide, share, distribute'. It was first used in the 14th century to refer to someone who distributed goods. Over time, the term evolved to include individuals involved in various types of buying and selling activities, including the illegal drug trade.

See also: deal, dealable, dealer, dealings, deals.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,235, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.