mercantile
gb/mˈɚkəntˌaɪl/ us/mˈɚkəntˌaɪl/
C1
English
kereskedelmi, kereskedői, haszonelvű
C1
FORMAL
1
kereskedelmi
B1
Usage pattern:
mercantile [business/company/sector/interests]
The city grew wealthy because of its mercantile links with ports around the Mediterranean.
A város a Földközi-tenger térségének kikötőivel fennálló kereskedelmi kapcsolatai miatt gazdagodott meg.
She studied the mercantile history of the region, focusing on how trade shaped local politics.
A régió kereskedelmi történetét tanulmányozta, arra összpontosítva, hogyan formálta a kereskedelem a helyi politikát.
The museum highlights the town’s mercantile past and its role in international commerce.
Learner examples
It is a mercantile city with many markets.
Ez egy kereskedelmi város, sok piaccal.
Mercantile activity increased after the new port opened.
Az új kikötő megnyitása után nőtt a kereskedelmi tevékenység.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it where plain "commercial" or "business" is more natural in everyday speech.
Meaning
relating to trade or commerce
Collocations
mercantile trade
|mercantile business
|mercantile company
|mercantile interests
|mercantile activity
|mercantile economy
|mercantile sector
|mercantile center
|mercantile community
|mercantile expansion
Synonyms
commercial (More common and more general; often the best everyday choice.)
|
trading (Emphasizes the act of buying and selling, often goods or shares.)
Antonyms
noncommercial (Not connected with business, trade, or making profit.)
|
nonprofit (Organized for a purpose other than making money.)
Themes
business
|economics
|trade
Definition
connected to buying and selling things in business
Connected with buying and selling goods, especially in business and trade.
C1
FORMAL
2
kereskedői
B2
Usage pattern:
mercantile [class/elite/families/community]
The mercantile class gained political influence as trade expanded.
A kereskedőréteg politikai befolyásra tett szert, ahogy bővült a kereskedelem.
Many of the buildings were financed by mercantile families who made fortunes overseas.
Az épületek közül sokat olyan kereskedőcsaládok finanszíroztak, akik tengerentúlon szereztek vagyonokat.
The novel describes tensions between the mercantile elite and the rural landowners.
Learner examples
The mercantile class became rich through trade.
A kereskedőréteg a kereskedelem révén gazdagodott meg.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with "merchant" (a noun for a person). "Mercantile" is usually an adjective.
Meaning
relating to merchants as a group
Collocations
mercantile class
|mercantile elite
|mercantile families
|mercantile community
|mercantile wealth
|mercantile networks
|mercantile influence
|mercantile power
|mercantile ports
|mercantile cities
Synonyms
merchant (Often used in compounds (e.g., merchant family); more direct and common.)
|
trader (Focuses on individuals who buy and sell, sometimes on a smaller scale.)
Antonyms
aristocratic (Relating to hereditary social elites rather than commerce and trade.)
Themes
business
|society
|history
Definition
connected to merchants (people who trade goods)
Connected with merchants or the social and economic group involved in trade.
C1
FORMAL
3
haszonelvű
B2
Usage pattern:
a mercantile [approach/attitude/mindset]
Critics said the company’s mercantile approach put short-term profit ahead of customer trust.
A bírálók szerint a vállalat haszonelvű megközelítése a rövid távú profitot a vevői bizalom elé helyezte.
He dismissed the proposal as too mercantile, arguing that education shouldn’t be treated like a product.
Túl haszonelvűnek nevezte a javaslatot, azzal érvelve, hogy az oktatást nem szabadna úgy kezelni, mint egy terméket.
The film contrasts artistic ambition with the mercantile pressures of the industry.
Learner examples
Some people dislike his mercantile attitude toward friendships.
Vannak, akik nem szeretik a barátságokhoz való haszonelvű hozzáállását.
Common mistake:
This sense is often critical; avoid it if you want a neutral meaning (use "commercial" or "business" instead).
Meaning
focused on profit and money
Collocations
mercantile attitude
|mercantile mindset
|mercantile approach
|mercantile spirit
|mercantile values
|mercantile motives
|a mercantile view
|a mercantile culture
Synonyms
materialistic (More general; focuses on valuing money/possessions, not necessarily trade.)
|
profit-driven (Directly emphasizes prioritizing profit, often in business decisions.)
Antonyms
altruistic (Focused on helping others rather than personal gain.)
|
idealistic (Guided more by principles than by practical profit.)
Themes
business
|attitudes
|money
Definition
thinking mostly about money and profit
Mainly concerned with making money or gaining commercial advantage, often with a slightly negative tone.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mercantile
IPA
GB/mˈɚkəntˌaɪl/
US/mˈɚkəntˌaɪl/
Syllables & stress
mer - cant - ile (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mer)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mercantile
Word family
Core family
merchant
noun B1
merchandise
noun B1
Related words
merchandiser
noun
merchantable
adjective
Advanced or less common
mercantilism
noun
mercantilist
noun
Expressions
mercantile law
1/mˈɚkəntˌaɪl lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
legal
law about trade and business
the laws that control business and trade
Examples
- The dispute was settled under principles of mercantile law.
- Her research focuses on how mercantile law evolved with international shipping.
- The contract includes terms that are standard in mercantile law.
Learner examples
- Mercantile law covers many business contracts.
mercantile marine
1/mˈɚkəntˌaɪl mɚˈin/
fixed phrase
technical
a nation’s merchant shipping
all the ships a country uses for trade
Examples
- During the war, the mercantile marine carried vital supplies across the Atlantic.
- He trained as an engineer in the mercantile marine before moving into port management.
- The reforms improved safety standards throughout the mercantile marine.
Learner examples
- The mercantile marine transports goods by sea.
mercantile system
1/mˈɚkəntˌaɪl sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
technical
state-controlled trade for wealth
an old economic policy that tried to make a country richer by controlling trade
Examples
- Historians debate how much the mercantile system contributed to imperial expansion.
- The textbook explains why the mercantile system encouraged tariffs and trade monopolies.
- Many colonies were governed to serve the goals of the mercantile system.
Learner examples
- The mercantile system controlled trade to help the state.