merchant
gb/mˈɚt͡ʃənt/ us/mˈɚt͡ʃənt/
B1
English
~ 2800
kereskedő, mániás, megszállott
NOUN
B1
1
kereskedő
B1
Usage pattern:
[a/an/the] merchant
The merchant displayed his goods in the market square.
A kereskedő kirakta az áruit a piactéren.
Many local merchants rely on tourists for their income.
Sok helyi kereskedő a turistákból él.
The company is a major merchant of electronics in Asia.
She works as an online merchant, selling handmade jewelry.
The port was filled with merchant ships from around the world.
Learner examples
The merchant sells fruit in the market.
A kereskedő gyümölcsöt árul a piacon.
I spoke to the merchant about the price.
Beszéltem a kereskedővel az árról.
The merchant has many customers.
That shop is owned by a kind merchant.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'merchant' with 'mercenary' because the words sound similar, but they have very different meanings.
Meaning
Person or business selling goods
Collocations
merchant ship
|street merchant
|wholesale merchant
|local merchant
|online merchant
Synonyms
trader (Often used for someone who buys and sells goods as a job, sometimes on a smaller scale or in financial markets.)
|
vendor (More often used for someone selling directly to the public, especially in markets or streets.)
Antonyms
customer (A person who buys goods instead of selling them.)
Themes
business
|commerce
|trade
|finance
|work
Definition
A person or business that sells things, often in large amounts.
A person or company engaged in the business of buying and selling goods, especially in large quantities or internationally.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
mániás
B2
megszállott
B2
Usage pattern:
[a/an] [activity/quality] merchant
He's a real speed merchant on the highway.
Igazi sebességmániás az autópályán.
Don't listen to those doom merchants predicting disaster.
Ne hallgass azokra a vészmadarakra, akik katasztrófát jósolnak.
She's a gossip merchant who can't keep a secret.
Learner examples
He is a football merchant — he plays every day.
Focimániás: mindennap játszik.
She is a gossip merchant.
Igazi pletykafészek.
They call him a speed merchant.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is informal and slightly humorous or critical, and may try to use it in formal writing.
Meaning
Person keen on something
Collocations
speed merchant
|gossip merchant
|doom merchant
Synonyms
enthusiast (More neutral and formal; lacks the playful or critical tone of 'merchant' in this sense.)
Antonyms
avoider (Someone who actively avoids or dislikes the activity or quality in question.)
Themes
informal
|personality
|daily_life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An informal way to call someone who really likes or often does something.
(Informal) A person who is strongly enthusiastic about, or known for, a particular activity, quality, or thing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
merchant
IPA
GB/mˈɚt͡ʃənt/
US/mˈɚt͡ʃənt/
Syllables & stress
mer - chant (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mer)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: merchant
- Plural: merchants
Word family
Forms
merchants
noun
Core family
merchandise
noun B1
Related words
merchandising
noun
merchandiser
noun
Advanced or less common
mercantile
adjective C1
Expressions
doom merchant
1/dˈum mˈɚt͡ʃənt/
fixed phrase
informal
Pessimistic predictor of trouble
Someone who often says bad things will happen.
Examples
- Don't be such a doom merchant — things might turn out well.
- The media are full of doom merchants warning about economic collapse.
merchant of death
1/mˈɚt͡ʃənt əv dˈɛθ/
fixed phrase
Arms dealer causing harm
A person or company that sells weapons and is seen as causing death or destruction.
Examples
- The press branded the arms dealer a 'merchant of death'.
- He became known as a merchant of death after selling weapons to both sides of the conflict.
speed merchant
1/spˈid mˈɚt͡ʃənt/
fixed phrase
informal
Person who drives too fast
Someone who drives at very high speeds, often dangerously.
Examples
- The police stopped a speed merchant on the highway.
- He's a real speed merchant when he gets behind the wheel.