hawker

1 of 2

noun (1)

hawk·​er ˈhȯ-kər 

: falconer

hawker

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one who hawks wares

The sidewalks are filled with hawkers selling vegetables and trinkets and women in blankets roasting cobs of corn on makeshift fires.

—Richard Stengal

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• huckster
• peddler
• pedlar

Examples of hawker in a Sentence

Noun (2)

street corner hawkers selling everything from fake designer purses to original works of art

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that prohibits all vendors -- including the hot dog hawkers who wear revealing thong bikinis -- from selling along the road. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025

The approximately 10-foot-tall tree was displayed at the bullion hawker’s headquarters in Munich for several days in honor of the company’s 35th anniversary. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

And bring cash: while most of Singapore is now cashless, many hawker stalls accept digital payments only via a system that requires a local bank account. —Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024

No hawkers, no vendors, only two people stretching a Jesus banner halfway across the roadway. —Dana O'Neil, The Athletic, 26 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English haueker, hawker, going back to Old English hafocere, from hafoc hawk entry 1 + -ere -er entry 2

Noun (2)

by folk etymology from Low German höker, from Middle Low German hōker, from hōken to squat, peddle — more at hunker

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1512, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hawker

1 of 2 noun

hawk·​er ˈhȯ-kər 

: falconer

hawker

2 of 2 noun

: a person who hawks wares

Etymology

Noun

Low German höker, from höken "to peddle"