auctioneer

noun

auc·​tion·​eer ˌȯk-shə-ˈnir 

: an agent who sells goods at auction

Examples of auctioneer in a Sentence

The auctioneer started the bidding at $100.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nazz shepherds the queue at an auctioneer’s pace, sometimes joining in and always poking fun, calling upon you to spin the prize wheel that could lead to a free drink or 10 push-ups. — Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Each seemingly meaningless twitch signals a bid worth between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on the auctioneer’s ask. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

The painting comes to the block on December 5 at auctioneer Ketterer Kunst in Munich, from the collection of American Public Television (APT). — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Zebra tablecloths and napkins completed the safari theme, and the walls were decorated with faux magazine covers of Bradfield and his partner, auctioneer William Featherby. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1708, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for auctioneer

• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear
• engineer

Kids Definition

auctioneer

noun

auc·​tion·​eer ˌȯk-shə-ˈni(ə)r 

: a person in charge of an auction

auctioneer verb