dealer

[ dee-ler ]

noun

1. a person who buys and sells articles without altering their condition; trader or merchant, especially a wholesaler:

   I got a dealer's discount on this coat.

2. Cards. the player distributing the cards.
3. a person who behaves or acts toward another or others in a specified manner:

   a plain dealer.

4. Slang. a person who buys and sells drugs illegally.
5. a person who buys securities for their own account and retains them until sold to another.

dealer

/ ˈdiːlə /

noun

1. a person or firm engaged in commercial purchase and sale; trader

   a car dealer

2. cards the person who distributes the cards
3. slang.
   a person who sells illegal drugs

Derived Forms

• ˈdealerˌship, noun

Other Words From

• pre·dealer noun
• sub·dealer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dealer¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English delere, Old English dǣlere. See deal ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

To some he was a "dealer junkie" and narcissist obsessed with his own myth.

From BBC

If law enforcement’s goal is to discourage consumption by forcing dealers to raise their prices, they’re falling far behind.

From Salon

Regulators want to give more time to car dealers potentially facing a deluge of claims for mis-sold finance agreements.

From BBC

There were also reports of corner shops becoming black market cheese dealers.

From BBC

He was more computer tech than Miami drug dealer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banker
• merchant
• retailer
• trader
• trafficker
• vendor
• wholesaler