# barker

/ˈbɑɹkɝ/ (US) · /bˈɑːkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barker
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. carnival announcer

noun · CEFR B2

a person who stands outside a show or shop and shouts to attract customers.

For teachers: a person employed to solicit customers by calling out to passersby, typically at a carnival, circus, or storefront.

- The barker outside the tent promised that we would see the most amazing show on earth.
- The carnival barker used a rhythmic, high-energy chant to draw the skeptical crowd toward the main attraction.

### 2. noisy animal

noun · CEFR A2

a dog or other animal that barks a lot.

For teachers: an animal, typically a dog, characterized by frequent or loud barking.

- Our new neighbor has a small dog that is a constant barker.
- The shelter staff noted that the terrier was a persistent barker whenever strangers approached the kennel.

### 3. bark-removing machine

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a machine used in factories to strip the outer layer off logs.

For teachers: a mechanical device used in the timber or paper industry to remove bark from logs.

- The logs are passed through a mechanical barker before they are cut into boards.
- The sawmill upgraded to a high-speed hydraulic barker to improve the efficiency of the initial processing stage.

### 4. pistol

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Archaic

an old word for a gun or pistol.

For teachers: a slang term for a pistol or firearm, referencing the sharp sound of its discharge.

- In the old detective movie, the gangster reached for the barker in his pocket.
- The protagonist in the Victorian crime novel was warned never to leave his lodgings without his trusty barker.

## Examples

- The barker shouted at the crowd to see the show.
- A loud barker stood outside the tent, promising that the performance inside would change our lives forever.
- The traditional carnival barker relies on a rhythmic, high-energy vocal delivery designed to create a sense of urgency and curiosity in a distracted crowd.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.