dealer

American  

[dee-ler] / ˈdi lər /

noun

1. a person who buys and sells articles without altering their condition; trader or merchant, especially a wholesaler.

   I got a dealer's discount on this coat.

2. Cards. the player distributing the cards.

3. a person who behaves or acts toward another or others in a specified manner.

   a plain dealer.

4. Slang. a person who buys and sells drugs illegally.

5. a person who buys securities for their own account and retains them until sold to another.

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dealer British  

/ ˈdiːlə /

noun

1. a person or firm engaged in commercial purchase and sale; trader

   a car dealer

2. cards the person who distributes the cards

3. slang a person who sells illegal drugs

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Other Word Forms

• dealership noun
• predealer noun
• subdealer noun

Etymology

Origin of dealer

First recorded before 1000; Middle English delere, Old English dǣlere. See deal ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Besides a pick-up in consumption as the holidays approached, the uptick was also partially due to sales at auto dealers and gasoline stations.

From Barron's

The biggest increase took place at auto dealers, home centers, gas stations and clothing stores.

From MarketWatch

So Chinese car companies would need to build plants, develop dealer networks, and create supply chains.

From Barron's

The bank sees an aggressive EV-led refresh peaking in 2026, while the automaker is also expected to focus on stabilizing its business model in China, which involves restructuring the dealer network in the region.

From The Wall Street Journal

She was married twice - to art dealer Michael Parkin and artist Patrick Hughes.

From BBC

Related Words

• banker
• merchant
• retailer
• trader
• trafficker
• vendor
• wholesaler