salesperson
gb/sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/ us/sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
role
1
person whose job is selling
Someone whose job is to sell things.
Usage pattern:
a salesperson for [company]; a salesperson at [store]; a salesperson who sells [product]
Common mistake:
The most common plural is salespeople (not salespersons). Also note the gender-neutral form: salesperson (not salesman/saleswoman).
Synonyms
sales representative (Often used for B2B sales or client accounts, especially outside retail.)
|
sales associate (Common in retail stores, especially in North American English.)
|
sales clerk (More specifically a retail store worker; can sound slightly old-fashioned in some places.)
Antonyms
customer (The person buying rather than selling.)
|
buyer (Someone who purchases goods or services, especially in business contexts.)
Collocations
a salesperson for a company
|a salesperson at a dealership
|a top salesperson
|a skilled salesperson
|a successful salesperson
|a pushy salesperson
|a friendly salesperson
|a salesperson on commission
|talk to a salesperson
|hire a salesperson
Themes
business
|work
|shopping
Examples
- The salesperson explained the differences between the two phone plans.
- If you have questions about sizes, ask a salesperson on the floor.
- She started as a salesperson and later became a sales manager.
Learner examples
- The salesperson helped me choose a jacket.
- I talked to a salesperson about the price.
Noun
B1
role
2
store worker who helps customers
A person who sells things in a shop and helps customers.
Usage pattern:
a salesperson in [store]; a salesperson on the shop floor
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse salesperson with cashier; a cashier mainly takes payment, while a salesperson often advises and sells.
Synonyms
shop assistant (Very common in British English for a retail worker who helps customers.)
|
sales associate (Common retail term, especially in North American English.)
Antonyms
shopper (A person browsing or buying, not selling.)
Collocations
a retail salesperson
|a store salesperson
|a salesperson on the floor
|a showroom salesperson
|a helpful salesperson
|ask a salesperson
|a salesperson approached me
|a salesperson in the electronics section
|a salesperson in a clothing store
|speak with a salesperson
Themes
shopping
|work
|retail
Examples
- A salesperson in the furniture department offered to measure the space with her.
- The salesperson brought out the same shoes in a different size.
- He worked as a salesperson at a department store during college.
Learner examples
- The salesperson showed me two options.
- A salesperson asked if I needed help.
Grammar
Dictionary form
salesperson
IPA
GB/sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
US/sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
Syllables & stress
sales - per - son (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sales)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: salesperson
- Plural: salespeople, salespersons
Expressions
car salesperson
1/kˈɑɹ sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
fixed phrase
seller at a car dealership
Someone who sells cars.
Examples
- The car salesperson offered us a test drive.
- We asked the car salesperson to explain the financing options.
- A car salesperson called the next day to follow up.
door-to-door salesperson
1/dˈɔɹ tə dˈɔɹ sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
fixed phrase
seller who visits homes
A seller who goes to houses to sell things.
Examples
- A door-to-door salesperson knocked while we were eating dinner.
- She worked as a door-to-door salesperson selling home security systems.
- We put up a sign that says ‘No door-to-door salespeople’.
inside salesperson
1/ˈɪnsˌaɪd sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
fixed phrase
business
salesperson who works from office
A salesperson who sells from the office, often by phone or email.
Examples
- The inside salesperson followed up with leads from last week’s trade show.
- Inside salespeople often handle smaller accounts and renewals.
- Ask an inside salesperson to send you a formal quote.
insurance salesperson
1/ɪnʃˈʊɹəns sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
fixed phrase
business
seller of insurance policies
Someone whose job is to sell insurance.
Examples
- An insurance salesperson walked me through the coverage options.
- He works as an insurance salesperson and spends a lot of time on the phone.
- The insurance salesperson sent the quote by email.
outside salesperson
1/ˈaʊtsaɪd sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
fixed phrase
business
salesperson who visits clients
A salesperson who meets customers in person outside the office.
Examples
- We need an outside salesperson to visit contractors and job sites.
- Outside salespeople spend a lot of time driving between appointments.
- The outside salesperson brought samples to the meeting.
salesperson of the month
1/sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən əv ðə mˈʌnθ/
fixed phrase
business
top seller for a month
The best-selling worker for that month.
Examples
- She was named salesperson of the month for the third time this year.
- The store gives a bonus to the salesperson of the month.
- He’s trying hard to become salesperson of the month.
traveling salesperson
1/tɹˈævəlɪŋ sˈeɪlzpˌɚsən/
fixed phrase
seller who travels for work
A salesperson who travels to sell things.
Examples
- As a traveling salesperson, he’s on the road most weeks.
- The company hired a traveling salesperson to cover the western region.
- Traveling salespeople often build relationships by visiting clients in person.