trader

noun

trad·​er ˈtrā-dər 

1

: a person whose business is buying and selling or barter: such as

a

: merchant

b

: a person who buys and sells (something, such as stocks or commodities futures) in search of short-term profits

2

: a ship engaged in the coastal or foreign trade

Synonyms of trader

• dealer
• merchant
• businessman
• retailer

Examples of trader in a Sentence

She is a stock trader.

early explorers and fur traders

Recent Examples on the Web

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited Chinese traders as a reason behind last week’s wild swings in the gold market. —Maria Paula Mijares Torres, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026

In sports, outcomes such as which of two teams will win the NBA title are paired to attract traders on both sides of each possible outcome. —Mike Wilson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026

And as traders bought more, the gains gathered steam, resulting in skyrocketing prices. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026

Out on the sidewalk and behind barriers, lookie-loos crane their necks for a peek at the competitors, while pin traders mill through the churning crowd in hopes of making a souvenir swap. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trader

• day trader
• free trader

Rhymes for trader

• aider
• fader
• grader
• kadir
• nadir
• prader
• raider
• schrader
• seder
• shader
• crusader
• invader

Kids Definition

trader

noun

trad·​er ˈtrād-ər 

1

: a person who trades

2

: a ship engaged in trade