salespeople

American  

[seylz-pee-puhl] / ˈseɪlzˌpi pəl /

plural noun

1. people engaged in selling.

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Usage

What does salespeople mean? Salespeople is a plural form of salesperson—a person whose job is to sell products or services. A less commonly used plural of salesperson is salespersons. Another term for salesperson is sales rep (or sales representative). The terms salesman and saleswoman are still commonly used, but salesperson and sales rep are often used in their place. Salespeople are often said to “work in sales”—in which sales refers to the type of occupation or the division or department within a company. Salespeople can sell directly to customers or to other businesses or organizations. Sometimes, salespeople sell things in person, such as at a retail store or dealership. They also commonly sell things over the phone or by communicating with people online. In the past, it was common for some salespeople to travel door-to-door to make sales to people at home. A salesperson who has to travel as part of their job can be called a traveling salesperson. The word salesperson is sometimes used in a somewhat figurative way to refer to someone who’s skilled at persuading people, especially in a business or professional setting, as if they are selling them a product. Example: Salespeople are known for their ability to start a conversation with anyone.

Etymology

Origin of salespeople

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; sales + people

Example Sentences

Of the 20 most common occupations in the state, 13 paid on average less than $20 an hour, including retail salespeople, cashiers and cooks, according to a 2025 study by United Way of Florida.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Stanley espoused an evangelical capitalism that focused on its employees’ personal growth; it recommended salespeople read Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Here’s where financial salespeople present a miracle asset class that can reliably juice returns without adding risk.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Notably, most of the products sold were of the complex type, such as variable and indexed annuities, that typically generate the highest fees for the salespeople.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

I’ve been wanting to visit Anarkali Bazaar despite Zohra’s warnings about pushy salespeople and pickpockets.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Related Words

• clerk