mer·chan·dise

[n. mur-chuhn-dahyz, -dahys; v. mur-chuhn-dahyz] noun, verb, mer·chan·dised, mer·chan·dis·ing.
noun
1.
the manufactured goods bought and sold in any business.
2.
the stock of goods in a store.
3.
goods, especially manufactured goods; commodities.
verb (used without object)
4.
to carry on trade.
verb (used with object)
5.
to buy and sell; deal in; trade.
6.
to plan for and promote the sales of.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English marchandise < Old French. See merchant, -ice

Related forms
mer·chan·dis·a·ble, adjective
mer·chan·dis·er, noun
un·mer·chan·dised, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To merchandise
00:10
Merchandise is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
to spend time idly; loaf.
LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
merchandise
 
—n
1.  commercial goods; commodities
 
—vb
2.  to engage in the commercial purchase and sale of (goods or services); trade
 
[C13: from Old French. See merchant]
 
'merchandiser
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

merchandise
late 13c., "commodities of commerce," from Anglo-Fr. marchaundise, from marchaunt (see merchant). The verb is recorded from late 14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

merchandise definition


  1. n.
    any contraband. (Underworld.) : How much of the merchandise can you deliver by midnight?
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Stores have cut the number of items they stock, hoping to avoid discounting unsold merchandise.
Live music, refreshments and gumbo cook-off merchandise for sale.
Game publishers offer exclusive merchandise for sale.
Tiger goods are much more valuable than leopard merchandise.
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT