auctioneer
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪə/
KK: /ɔːkʃəˈnɪr/
noun
Definition
A person who manages and conducts an auction, helping to sell items to the highest bidder.
Example
The auctioneer called out the bids as the crowd eagerly raised their paddles.
Conversation
Did you see that auctioneer at the art show last weekend?
Yeah, they were really good at getting people excited about the pieces.
I know! I was surprised by how much some paintings went for.
Me too! That auctioneer really knew how to drive up the bids.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
broker
salesman
agent
Antonyms
buyer
purchaser
client
transitive verb
Definition
To sell items to the highest bidder in a public sale.
Example
The auctioneer called out the bids as the crowd eagerly raised their hands.
Tense Forms
Past: auctioned
Past Participle: auctioned
Conversation
Did you hear about the charity event this weekend?
Yes, I heard they will have an auctioneer selling some cool items.
I’m thinking about going to see what they’ll auctioneer.
Root Explanation
Auctioneer → It is formed from "auction" (from Latin *auctio*, meaning increase or a raising) and "-eer" (a suffix indicating a person who performs a specific action). An auctioneer is a person who raises bids in an auction.
Memory Tip
Think of someone who is responsible for 'raising' bids ('auctio') — that's why an auctioneer is the person who conducts the auction.
Visually Confused Words
unctioneer
factioneer
actioner
cautioner
vacationer
sanctioner
fictioneer