auctioneer

American  

[awk-shuh-neer] / ˌɔk ʃəˈnɪər /

noun

1. a person who conducts sales by auction.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to auction (something).

auctioneer British  

/ ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪə /

noun

1. a person who conducts an auction by announcing the lots and controlling the bidding

---

verb

1. (tr) to sell by auction

Etymology

Origin of auctioneer

First recorded in 1700–10; auction + -eer

Explanation

An auctioneer is a person who manages an auction, or a public sale at which people can bid on items. It's exciting to win the bidding at an auction and hear the auctioneer shout, "Sold!" It's the job of an auctioneer to organize the goods for sale at an auction, as well as to oversee the bidding, often encouraging bidders to compete with each other to drive the price up. Some auctioneers call out items and prices in a distinctive, rapid, sing-song voice. Auctioneer comes from auction, which has a Latin root: auctionem, "increasing sale or public sale," from augere, "to increase."

Example Sentences

The former Christie’s auctioneer, author, podcaster and motivational speaker is normally unflappable on the podium.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Then as he droned on like a dentist drill hitting bone, he began to sound like a South Carolina auctioneer at a county fair.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025

The work, of Jesus Christ on the cross and painted in 1613, was unearthed by auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat in a Paris mansion last year.

From Barron's • Nov. 30, 2025

Joe Smith, founder and principal auctioneer at JS Fine Art, said: "It was one of those moments every auctioneer dreams of. We knew it was special, but the response was beyond anything we expected."

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

Every auctioneer, every librarian, was on the lookout for it.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• agent
• clerk
• dealer
• marketer
• merchant
• peddler
• retailer
• salesperson
• saleswoman
• shopkeeper
• trader
• vendor