crier

[ krahy-er ]

noun

1. a person who cries.
2. a court or town official who makes public announcements.
3. a hawker.

crier

/ ˈkraɪə /

noun

1. a person or animal that cries
2. (formerly) an official who made public announcements, esp in a town or court
3. a person who shouts advertisements about the goods he is selling

Other Words From

• under·crier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crier¹

1250–1300; Middle English criere < Old French. See cry, -er ¹

Example Sentences

“I am not a pretty crier,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, interrupting herself midsentence and cutting her speech short, she got in the best one-liner of the night before rushing off the stage: “I’m not an attractive crier — have a good evening!”

From New York Times

Finally, the Bidens ended up at Nantucket’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, clapping as the town crier led the countdown and the tree was illuminated with colored lights.

From Seattle Times

Seven years ago I profiled him in a column that said that due to rising temperatures, his glacier project had turned him into a sort of “town crier of decline.”

From Seattle Times

The day begins with an old-fashioned parade, complete with a town crier.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• courier
• emissary
• go-between
• mediator
• prophet