ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hawking

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈhɔkɪŋ// UK //hˈɔːkɪŋ// hawk·ing

n. the activity of selling things in the street by calling out to people. It can also mean the sport of hunting small animals using a trained hawk.

n. the act of offering goods for sale in public places by shouting; alternatively, the practice of hunting with trained birds of prey.


SIMPLE

The street was filled with the loud hawking of fruit sellers.

CONTEXTUAL

Local laws often restrict the hawking of merchandise on busy sidewalks to prevent congestion and noise.

COMPLEX

While modern commerce has moved online, the traditional hawking of wares remains a vibrant part of the city's open-air markets, where vocal skill is as vital as product quality.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used as a gerund to describe the activity or trade itself.

© 2026 English Reference