barker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very low frequency, specialized/historical)Informal, historical, specific (circus/carnival context), humorous (for dog).
Quick answer
What does “barker” mean?
Someone who stands outside a place of entertainment, loudly announcing attractions to attract customers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Someone who stands outside a place of entertainment, loudly announcing attractions to attract customers.
Can refer to someone who speaks loudly or persistently to promote something; also an informal term for a person's dog (a pet that barks a lot), or a tool for stripping tree bark.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'fairground announcer' sense is equally understood but equally archaic. The tool sense might be more common in North American forestry contexts. 'Barker' as slang for a pistol (loud noise) is obsolete but was historically more American.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'barker' suggests a bygone era of live entertainment. As a dog nickname, it's affectionate and informal.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in historical novels or discussions of old entertainment.
Grammar
How to Use “barker” in a Sentence
[the/our/my] barker [shouted/called out/enticed the crowd][the] barker [at/for] the [circus/freak show]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “barker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He used to barker for a travelling fair in his youth.
- I wish the dog next door would stop barker-ing all night.
American English
- He barkered for the freak show on Coney Island.
- The puppy's been barker-ing at squirrels.
adverb
British English
- He shouted barker-style into the megaphone.
- The dog howled barker-loud.
American English
- He announced the act barker-loud.
- She sold the tickets barker-quick.
adjective
British English
- His barker-like voice carried across the square.
- The barker tradition is nearly dead.
American English
- She had a real barker tone when she was selling.
- It was a classic barker spiel.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused except in historical analysis of marketing/promotion.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or performance studies referring to 19th/early 20th century entertainment.
Everyday
Rare. May be used humorously for a loud dog or a very persuasive salesperson. "My dog is a real barker."
Technical
In forestry/toolmaking: a machine or tool for removing bark from logs.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “barker”
- Using 'barker' for a modern MC or radio presenter (too archaic).
- Confusing with 'baker'.
- Spelling as 'barkor' or 'barkher'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A barker is a specific type of loud, public, and often theatrical promoter associated with live entertainment venues like circuses or fairs. A modern salesperson is a broader term.
Yes, but it is very rare and considered non-standard or colloquial. It means to act as a barker or to bark persistently (like a dog).
It's an informal, humorous, or slightly exasperated way to label a dog based on its prominent behaviour (excessive barking), e.g., 'Oh, he's just a barker'.
No, it is a technical term used in specific industries like forestry, sawmills, or pulp production. The average person is unlikely to encounter this meaning.
Someone who stands outside a place of entertainment, loudly announcing attractions to attract customers.
Barker is usually informal, historical, specific (circus/carnival context), humorous (for dog). in register.
Barker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɑː.kər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːr.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Barker's luck (archaic: initial good luck that fades)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A BARKER at a carnival BARKs out invitations like a dog.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS NOISE / PROMOTION IS VOCAL PERFORMANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following modern contexts might you most appropriately use 'barker'?