peddle

American  

[ped-l] / ˈpɛd l /

verb (used with object)

peddled, peddling

1. to carry (small articles, goods, wares, etc.) from place to place for sale at retail; hawk.

2. to deal out, distribute, or dispense, especially in small quantities.

   to peddle radical ideas.

3. to sell (drugs) illicitly.

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verb (used without object)

peddled, peddling

1. to go from place to place with goods, wares, etc., for sale at retail.

2. to occupy oneself with trifles; trifle.

peddle British  

/ ˈpɛdəl /

verb

1. to go from place to place selling (goods, esp small articles)

2. (tr) to sell (illegal drugs, esp narcotics)

3. (tr) to advocate (ideas) persistently or importunately

   to peddle a new philosophy

4. archaic (intr) to trifle

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Other Word Forms

• repeddle verb (used with object)
• unpeddled adjective

Etymology

Origin of peddle

First recorded in 1525–35; apparently back formation from peddler; peddle in def. 5, reinforced by piddle

Explanation

When you peddle something, you go out and try to sell it. It's cute when a little kid peddles his homemade birthday cards around the neighborhood, but if an adult did that it might be annoying. The classic image of someone who peddles is an old-fashioned "peddler" or "tinker" traveling from village to village selling goods. The verb peddle, in fact, comes from the word "peddler," whose origin is a mystery. Any time you sell something by going from place to place, like selling Girl Scout cookies to all your neighbors, you peddle.

Example Sentences

"We are a normal family, but we do have to peddle a lot harder than everyone else to achieve the same," said Danni.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

In the Old City, home to a small but vibrant Christian community and several important churches, red baubles hang from some trees, shopkeepers have put up Christmas decorations and street vendors peddle warm chestnuts.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

Eaton for many years has worked to expose people who peddle chlorine dioxide and to report apparent injuries to authorities.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025

Perhaps predictably, others have been using the post to boost their own scams, latching onto the moment to peddle their medbed products or even try to sell the medbed cards promised in the video.

From Slate • Sep. 29, 2025

Some cyclo drivers climb into their cyclo to sleep while others continue to peddle around, looking for fares.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

Related Words

• hawk
• solicit