haberdasher

[ hab-er-dash-er ]

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.

haberdasher

/ ˈhæbəˌdæʃə /

noun

1. a dealer in small articles for sewing, such as buttons, zips, and ribbons
2. a men's outfitter

Word History and Origins

Origin of haberdasher¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of haberdasher¹

C14: from Anglo-French hapertas small items of merchandise, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

But in fact, it’s his haberdasher that I met in Hoboken, but you know, Matthew Perry from ‘Friends’ is nice, too.

From Los Angeles Times

He wore a beige custom suit that he had picked after a haberdasher had presented a selection of fabrics and colors back home.

From Los Angeles Times

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

In the past 14 years, the building has become a fashion destination, as two haberdashers — first J. Crew and now Todd Snyder — have sold menswear from the evocative corner storefront.

From Seattle Times

Truman had often been dismissed as a onetime Missouri haberdasher who lucked into politics.

From Washington Post