barker

¹

[bahr-ker]

noun

1. an animal or person that barks. bark.

2. a person who stands before a theater, carnival sideshow, or the like, calling out its attractions to passers-by.

barker

²

[bahr-ker]

noun

1. a person or thing that removes bark from trees.

2. a person or thing that prepares bark for tanning.

Barker

¹

/ ˈbɑːkə /

noun

1. George ( Granville ). 1913–91, British poet: author of Calamiterror (1937) and The True Confession of George Barker (1950)

2. Howard . born 1946, British playwright: his plays include Claw (1975), The Castle (1985), A Hard Heart (1992), and 13 Objects (2003)

3. Ronnie , full name Ronald William George Barker . 1929–2005, British comedian: known esp for his partnership with Ronnie Corbett (born 1930) in the TV series The Two Ronnies (1971–85)

barker

²

/ ˈbɑːkə /

noun

1. an animal or person that barks

2. a person who stands at a show, fair booth, etc, and loudly addresses passers-by to attract customers

barker

³

/ ˈbɑːkə /

noun

1. a person or machine that removes bark from trees or logs or prepares it for tanning

Word History and Origins

Origin of Barker¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, barker is from the Middle English word berker, berkar. See bark ¹, -er ¹

Origin of Barker²

1375–1425, earlier as surname; late Middle English. See bark ² (v.), -er ¹

Example Sentences

Carnival barker — that’s how the FBI director appears to see his job.

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These dogs aren’t huge barkers, but they might yowl at you, especially if you aren’t getting the leash for a walk quickly enough.

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The fittingly named act takes a side-long view of the daily grind, with frontman Jake Silvas sounding equal parts carnival barker and seer as he mocks hustle culture, corporate ladders and better living through chemistry.

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But just down the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, the home of Disney, the hottest ticket in baseball this weekend belongs to a stilted pitcher, juggling infielders and a yellow-suited, top hat-wearing carnival barker.

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As "Some More News" laid out in painstaking detail Wednesday, Musk's reputation as a "genius" is created with the same carnival barker nonsense as Trump's reputation as a "businessman."

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Related Words

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