Salesman Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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salesman

[ˈseɪlzmən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in a store

A person whose job is to sell things in a store.

Synonyms

retail associate, salesperson, shop assistant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
salesman	Usually refers to a man who sells goods or services, often in a more formal or business-to-business setting. This term can be seen as outdated or less inclusive. The salesman offered me a great deal on the new car. As a top salesman, he earned a high commission.
salesperson	A gender-neutral term that applies broadly to anyone who sells goods or services, in any setting. It can be used in both retail and business contexts. The salesperson answered all my questions about the laptop. Many companies train their salespersons extensively.
shop assistant	Typically used in a retail setting, particularly in the UK and other Commonwealth countries, to describe someone who helps customers in a shop. I asked the shop assistant where to find the shoes. The shop assistant was very knowledgeable about the products.
retail associate	Used primarily in a retail environment where the individual assists customers, handles transactions, and stocks shelves. This term is more gender-neutral than 'salesman.' The retail associate helped me find the right size. She was promoted from a cashier to a retail associate.

Examples of usage

The salesman showed me different options for the product I was looking for.
The salesman was very helpful in assisting me with my purchase.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in a business setting

A person who sells products or services for a company.

Synonyms

sales agent, sales executive, sales representative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
salesman	Typically used to refer to a person, often male, who sells products or services directly to customers, usually in a retail or direct sales environment. A car salesman showed us various models available for purchase The furniture store hired an experienced salesman to increase sales
sales representative	Commonly used to describe a person who represents a company and sells its products or services to customers. This role often involves visiting clients, attending trade shows, and following up on leads. The pharmaceutical company sent a sales representative to introduce their new drug to doctors Our sales representative gave a product demonstration at the trade show
sales agent	Usually refers to someone who works on behalf of a company or multiple companies to sell products or services, often dealing with clients and negotiating deals. This term is often used in industries like real estate and insurance. The real estate sales agent helped us find our dream home As an insurance sales agent, she discussed different policy options with us
sales executive	Refers to a higher-level sales position, often involved in strategic planning, managing customer relationships, and overseeing sales targets. This term is commonly used in corporate and business-to-business (B2B) sales environments. The sales executive presented the annual sales report to the board He was promoted to sales executive due to his outstanding sales performance

Examples of usage

The salesman met with potential clients to present our new product line.
As a salesman, his main responsibility is to increase the company's revenue.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

The iconic musical 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller explores the struggles and dreams of an aging salesman.
Many famous films feature salespeople, reflecting both the aspirations and challenges of the sales profession.

History

Salesmen have existed since ancient times, with merchants trading goods in marketplaces.
The rise of the Industrial Revolution significantly changed sales practices, leading to the creation of sales departments in companies.

Psychology

Successful salespeople often use psychological techniques, such as building rapport or understanding customer needs, to close deals.
Research shows that empathy and active listening can greatly enhance a salesperson's effectiveness.

Technology

With the internet, the role of salespeople has evolved, leading to the rise of e-commerce and online sales strategies.
Sales automation tools now assist salespeople in managing leads and customer relationships more efficiently.

Origin of 'salesman'

Main points about word origin

The word 'salesman' comes from the combination of 'sale', which means to sell something, and 'man', referring to a person.
This term started becoming popular in the early 20th century as trade and commerce expanded rapidly.

The term 'salesman' originated in the late 18th century, derived from the words 'sale' and 'man', indicating a person involved in selling goods or services. Throughout history, the role of a salesman has evolved with the development of commerce and trade, becoming a crucial part of business operations in various industries.

See also: salable, sale, saleability, sales, salesperson.