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Synonyms

auctioneer

American  
[awk-shuh-neer] / ˌɔk ʃəˈnɪər /

noun

  1. a person who conducts sales by auction.

verb (used with object)

  1. to auction (something).

auctioneer British  
/ ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪə /

noun

  1. a person who conducts an auction by announcing the lots and controlling the bidding

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to sell by auction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of auctioneer

First recorded in 1700–10; auction + -eer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“What you’re looking for as an auctioneer is someone who’s truly fearless onstage,” says auctioneer Lydia Fenet.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Schneider, the retired national guardsman, was interested in the class more to cultivate a hobby and hopes to find a local auctioneer to offer his services to.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

Then as he droned on like a dentist drill hitting bone, he began to sound like a South Carolina auctioneer at a county fair.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025

"This is truly a first," auctioneer Arnaud Oliveux told AFP.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

“Sold—for eight eighty!” the auctioneer exclaims. 880,000 notes.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.