haberdasher

American  

[hab-er-dash-er] / ˈhæb ərˌdæʃ ər /

noun

1. a retail dealer in men's furnishings, as shirts, ties, gloves, socks, and hats.

2. Chiefly British. a dealer in small wares and notions.

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haberdasher British  

/ ˈhæbəˌdæʃə /

noun

1. a dealer in small articles for sewing, such as buttons, zips, and ribbons

2. a men's outfitter

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Etymology

Origin of haberdasher

1275–1325; Middle English haberdasshere, of obscure origin; compare Anglo-French habredache haberdashery, hapertas perhaps a kind of cloth

Explanation

A haberdasher is someone who sells clothes and accessories. Do you need a new suit for your uncle's wedding? You should buy one from the haberdasher downtown. The person who owns or operates a haberdashery, or men's clothing store, is a haberdasher. Both terms are considered old-fashioned these days, although fancy shops still use these terms sometimes. In the UK, if you ask someone to recommend a haberdasher, you'll end up at a store that sells sewing notions like pins, needles, buttons, and so on. In the U.S., the original meaning of haberdasher was a "seller of men's caps."

Example Sentences

Her father was a haberdasher and she later recalled sheltering from German bombs in the basement of his shop during the war.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025

His father was a World War I combat veteran and haberdasher who lost his job and the family home during the Great Depression.

From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2023

He met with a haberdasher to assess his current look.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2019

The former Missouri farmer and haberdasher was also the last president without a college degree, a luxury he was unable to afford.

From Washington Times • Jul. 22, 2019

Soon as I have some money saved, I go into the haberdasher and buy myself a fedora like Fat Frankie’s.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz