# dealer

/ˈdiɫɝ/ (US) · /dˈiːlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dealer
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. business person

noun · CEFR B1

a person or company that buys and sells specific products, like cars, antiques, or art.

For teachers: a person or firm engaged in the commercial purchase and sale of specific commodities or goods.

- We visited a local car dealer to see if they had any used SUVs in stock.
- The antique dealer spent years cultivating a network of private collectors to ensure a steady supply of rare eighteenth-century furniture.

### 2. card games

noun · CEFR B1

the person who gives out the playing cards to the players in a game.

For teachers: the individual responsible for distributing playing cards to participants in a game of chance or skill.

- The dealer shuffled the deck twice before starting the next round of poker.
- In professional casinos, the dealer must follow strict protocols to ensure the integrity of the game and the security of the chips.

### 3. illegal drugs

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who sells illegal drugs.

For teachers: an individual involved in the illicit sale and distribution of controlled substances.

- The police arrested a suspected drug dealer in the park last night.
- Undercover officers spent months monitoring the street corner to identify the primary dealer responsible for the recent surge in local crime.

### 4. finance

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a person or company that trades stocks or bonds for themselves.

For teachers: a financial intermediary that trades securities for its own account rather than acting purely as an agent for others.

- The bank acts as a primary dealer for government bonds.
- Unlike a broker who merely facilitates trades, a dealer maintains an inventory of securities and profits from the spread between the bid and ask prices.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'broker-dealer' in regulatory contexts.

## Examples

- The car dealer offered us a great price on the new model.
- After years of collecting rare stamps, he finally found a reputable dealer who could value his entire collection.
- The local art dealer maintains a sophisticated inventory of contemporary sculptures, acting as a primary intermediary between emerging regional artists and international private collectors.

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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.