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• barker
  barker

  noun

  an animal or person that barks.
• Barker
  Barker

  noun

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

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

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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

See Examples For:

barker Barker

“Ultimately, we are trying to pay homage to the bus tour format, which is intrinsically ‘carny,’” Misraje said, likening himself to a carnival barker espousing aesthetic philosophy aboard an ever-changing “Ship of Theseus.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

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

Lora Bothwell, the owner of a nearby day care, interjected in the style of a carnival barker.

From New York Times ● Jan. 13, 2024

As such, when many people talk about "struggle meals," especially online, it's often with a kind of carnival barker mentality, touting promises of the bizarre.

From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2023

“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

Barker was featured on the Paradox’s 2025 single “Bender” and performed with the group at Vans Warped Tour the same year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

A photo of him with Travis Barker hangs next to a framed Billboard plaque on a nightstand.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

Benjamin Barker, principal at King's Leadership Academy in Liverpool, says he wants his students to learn how to use tools safely, while also developing their critical thinking skills.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

“We want to pour as much on the back end as the front end,” Barker said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

Women’s rights advocate Frances Dana Barker Gage worried about the status of African American women.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

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