barker

¹ American  

[bahr-ker] / ˈbɑr kər /

noun

1. an animal or person that barks.

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

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barker ² American  

[bahr-ker] / ˈbɑr kər /

noun

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

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

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Barker ¹ British  

/ 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)

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barker ² British  

/ 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

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barker ³ British  

/ ˈbɑːkə /

noun

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

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Etymology

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

Explanation

A barker is a person whose job involves advertising a show or a circus, encouraging passing pedestrians to buy a ticket. A traveling carnival might employ a barker to describe its attractions. A barker's job includes detailing the highlights of the show or fair he's trying to sell. An old-fashioned sideshow carnival barker might call to passers-by, describing the bearded lady or human pincushion inside. In the 15th century, a barker was a "noisy fellow," which became a "loud assistant or salesman" by the late 17th century. It comes from bark, from its Old English root beorcan, "to bark."

Example Sentences

McLuhan was seen as more of a carnival barker than a scholar, and people—clearly—didn’t heed his warnings about technology.

From Slate • Jul. 28, 2025

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.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2025

But for the past 30 years, his true calling has been modern-day carnival barker, affectionately known by his moniker, “The Barnum of Burbank.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2022

Did the old carny barker play out a shattering real-life version of “Nightmare Alley,” his favorite movie, where he turned the most successful solo recording artist of all time into the geek?

From New York Times • May 21, 2022

“Lookit this ’ere boy!” he shouted, like he was a barker at the county fair and me the prize pig.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Related Words

• debater
• orator
• raconteur