grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər  -shər 

: a dealer in staple foodstuffs, meats, produce, and dairy products and usually household supplies

Examples of grocer in a Sentence

Ask your local grocer if he sells organic fruits and vegetables.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hyper upscale grocer Erewhon at the center will reopen in January. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Grocery Outlet — The grocer reported EPS of 20 cents for its second quarter, versus the 13 cents expected from analysts, per FactSet. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Food Lion investment amid competition in Charlotte Food Lion said the store is part of the grocer’s commitment to invest and grown in towns and cities throughout the Charlotte market. — Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026

The grocer will be located next to Arrowhead Towne Center and occupy a space that formerly housed a Big Lots, according to city documents. — Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grocer, grosser "wholesale dealer in preserved foods, spices, wine, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French groser, grosser, grossour (Middle French grossier), from gros "the greater part, the bulk," en gros "wholesale, in bulk" (derivative of gros, adjective, "large, great, coarse") + -er, -our -er entry 2 — more at gross entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grocer

• closer
• grosser
• greengrocer

Kids Definition

grocer

noun

gro·​cer ˈgrō-sər 

: a dealer in food and household supplies