mercantile

adjective

mer·​can·​tile ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl How to pronounce mercantile (audio)
-ˌtī(-ə)l
1
: of or relating to merchants or trading
mercantile families
mercantile businesses
2
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of mercantilism
mercantile system

Examples of mercantile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the work is reborn whenever Robert Lesser shuffles in as Morry the tailor, whose compassion for Fender overrides his mercantile sense. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024 Downstairs, the lobby was packed with members of the mercantile South Asian community of Bohras, who were also part of the Shiite fold. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 Several excellent chapters cover the growth of British economic interests in the area during the nineteenth century, notably through the efforts of the mercantile National African Company. Max Siollun, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2021 Art & commerce Designers this season appeared to sit in two camps: Those who adopted a more mercantile mindset — perhaps in response to concerns around another recession — and those who seemingly through caution to the wind and chose art over commerce. Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN, 22 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for mercantile 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mercantile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian, from mercante merchant, from Latin mercant-, mercans, from present participle of mercari to trade — more at market

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mercantile was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near mercantile

Cite this Entry

“Mercantile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercantile. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

mercantile

adjective
mer·​can·​tile ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl How to pronounce mercantile (audio)
-ˌtīl
: of or relating to merchants, trade, or commerce
mercantile businesses

More from Merriam-Webster on mercantile

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