Definition

A person who calls people on the phone to sell products or services, often without the recipient's prior request.

Example

The telemarketer offered me a great deal on a new internet plan.

Conversation

I got a call from a telemarketer yesterday, and it was so annoying.

Oh no, those calls can be really bothersome!

Right? I don't understand how they get my number.

Same here! I usually just hang up as soon as I hear it's a telemarketer.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Telemarketer → It is formed from "tele-" (from Greek "tēle", meaning far off or at a distance) and "marketer" (from the word "market", which comes from Old French "marche", meaning a place where goods are bought and sold, combined with the agent suffix "-er", meaning a person who). A telemarketer is a person who markets products or services from a distance, typically over the phone.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tele-' meaning 'far off' and 'marketer' as someone who sells in a 'market'. This helps you remember that a telemarketer is someone who sells products or services from a distance.

Visually Confused Words