Word
haggling
Phoneticshag·gling
US/ˈhæɡəɫɪŋ/
UK/hˈæɡlɪŋ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. talking with a seller to try to lower the price, with offers going back and forth. You do this in markets or small shops where prices are not fixed.
n. prolonged bargaining over price or terms through successive offers and counteroffers, typically between buyer and seller.
Examples
“They enjoy haggling with sellers at the weekend market.”
“After ten minutes of haggling over the used bike, they agree on a fair price.”
“The prolonged haggling in the street market, with its ritual offers, pauses for tea, and good-humoured walkaways, reveals bargaining as social performance as much as commerce.”
Examples
simple
“They enjoy haggling with sellers at the weekend market.”
contextual
“After ten minutes of haggling over the used bike, they agree on a fair price.”
complex
“The prolonged haggling in the street market, with its ritual offers, pauses for tea, and good-humoured walkaways, reveals bargaining as social performance as much as commerce.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “haggling” in context.
Verb
01. avoid haggling
“To avoid haggling, she shopped only in the large department store.”
verb + noun
02. engage in haggling
“In many souks, buyers are expected to engage in haggling.”
verb + prep + noun
03. enjoy haggling
“Many tourists enjoy haggling in local markets for souvenirs.”
verb + noun
04. haggling continues
“The haggling continued for twenty minutes before we agreed.”
noun + verb
05. hate haggling
“I hate haggling, so I prefer shops with fixed prices.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. friendly haggling
“Buying the rug involved ten minutes of friendly haggling with the shopkeeper.”
adj + noun
07. hard haggling
“After some hard haggling, we agreed on half the original price.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bit of haggling
“After a bit of haggling, the seller lowered the price by 20%.”
noun + prep + noun
09. after some hard haggling
“After some hard haggling, we bought the carpet for $50.”
10. enjoy a bit of haggling
“If you enjoy a bit of haggling, you'll love the night market.”
11. get discounts through haggling
“You can often get discounts through haggling at street stalls.”
12. haggling over the price
“We spent an hour haggling over the price of the vase.”
Real-World Examples
“U.S. and Canadian trade negotiators were haggling over a potential reduction in President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian vehicles to 15% after some value content deductions, three sources familiar with the talks said on Monday.” Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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