salesman

noun

sales·​man ˈsālz-mən 

plural salesmen

: a person (especially a man) whose job is to sell a product or service in a given territory, in a store, or by telephone compare salesperson, saleswoman

Synonyms of salesman

• clerk
• salesperson

Examples of salesman in a Sentence

He was the company's best salesman last year.

a furniture salesman followed us around the whole time we looked for a new couch

Recent Examples on the Web

Murphy shows up not in person, but as an Opalite spokesperson pictured on an ad that Swift and Gleeson see at the mall, and Norton himself is an Opalite salesman. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026

Cillian Murphy narrates the commercial and is seen in a poster ad, and Norton himself serves as a mall salesman. —Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026

Under manager Arrigo Sacchi, a former shoe salesman, AC Milan in 1987-88 won its first Serie A title in nine years and the following year won the European Cup, clobbering Steaua Bucharest 4-0 in the final. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026

The salesman explained that this was not an option. —Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing salesman

• traveling salesman

Rhymes for salesman

• salesmen

Kids Definition

salesman

noun

sales·​man -mən 

: one who sells in a specific territory or in a store

salesmanship

-ˌship

noun