Word
commerce
Phoneticscom·merce, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑmɝs/
UK/kˈɒmɜːs/
Definitions
01buying and selling
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the activity of buying and selling goods and services, especially between different companies or countries.
n. the large-scale exchange of goods, services, or property, particularly between different geographic regions or communities.
“The new treaty was designed to encourage commerce between the two nations.”
“The rise of digital platforms has fundamentally transformed global commerce, allowing small artisans to reach international markets with minimal overhead costs.”
02social interaction
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal · Literary
n. the exchange of ideas or social contact between people.
n. social intercourse or dealings between different people or groups in society.
“He preferred the quiet of the countryside to the busy commerce of city life.”
“The philosopher argued that meaningful intellectual commerce between rival schools of thought was essential for scientific progress.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to trade
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
v. to buy and sell goods; to do business.
v. to engage in trade or traffic; to carry on the exchange of commodities.
“In the old stories, merchants would commerce in spices and silk across the desert.”
“The chartered company was granted the exclusive right to commerce with the islands of the East Indies.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “commerce” in context.
Verb
01. engage in commerce
“Local tribes were permitted to engage in commerce with the settlers under specific regulations.”
verb + prep + noun
02. hinder commerce
“Strict border controls can often hinder commerce and delay the delivery of perishable goods.”
verb + noun
03. promote commerce
“The government introduced tax incentives to promote commerce in the struggling rural regions.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. electronic commerce
“The rapid growth of electronic commerce has fundamentally changed how consumers shop for groceries.”
adj + noun
05. international commerce
“The new trade agreement is designed to facilitate international commerce between the two continents.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. chamber of commerce
“The local chamber of commerce provides networking opportunities for small business owners.”
noun + of + noun
07. hub of commerce
“For centuries, the port city served as a vital hub of commerce for the entire Mediterranean.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. in commerce
“These chemicals are widely used in commerce despite concerns about their environmental impact.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Tributes to the former premier recalled his spirited style and his efforts to integrate China into global commerce, in contrast with the rigidity of the Xi era.” “It established that the label belonged to the world of 19th-century Pacific commerce, not the tightly controlled Canton trading system of the 1770s.” “The city had no known palaces where a ruler or ruling class could have controlled these tools of commerce and administration.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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