flea market

American  

noun

1. a market, often outdoors, consisting of a number of individual stalls selling old or used articles, curios and antiques, cut-rate merchandise, etc.

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flea market British  

noun

1. an open-air market selling cheap and often second-hand goods

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flea market Idioms  

1. A market, usually held outdoors, where used goods and antiques are sold. For example, We picked up half of our furniture at flea markets. The term is a direct translation of the French marché aux puces and presumably implies that some of the used clothes and furniture might be flea-infested. [1920s]

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Other Word Forms

• flea-marketeer noun
• flea-marketer noun

Etymology

Origin of flea market

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

How does flea-market compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• swap meet vs. flea market

Example Sentences

“The hardest part of it is going to a flea market, secondhand stores, an estate sale or even just going behind a store to see what people throw away.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

She got hers from a flea market, but it has becoming ever easier to buy knockoff furniture and home goods online.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

We go somewhere, maybe a crowded house party or a flea market, and someone strikes up a conversation.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

I love going to the Grove and the Melrose flea market, especially if a friend is in town.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2025

Immie’s people, temporary and literary friends of the week, acquired on the beach or at the flea market, cycled through the house.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart