chaffer

1 of 2

noun

chaf·​fer ˈcha-fər 

archaic

: a haggling about price

chaffer

2 of 2

verb

chaffered; chaffering ˈcha-f(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: haggle

2

British : to exchange small talk : chatter

transitive verb

1

: exchange, barter

2

: to bargain for

chafferer

ˈcha-fər-ər 

noun

Did you know?

The noun chaffer was originally used to refer to commercial trading. Chaffer (also spelled chaffare, cheffare, and cheapfare over the years) dates to the 1200s and was formed as a combination of Middle English chep, meaning "trade" or "bargaining," and fare, meaning "journey." The verb chaffer appeared in the 1300s and originally meant "to trade, buy, and sell." In time, both the verb and the noun were being applied to trade that involved haggling and negotiating.

Synonyms

Verb

• bargain
• deal
• dicker
• haggle
• horse-trade
• negotiate
• palter

Examples of chaffer in a Sentence

Verb

in that country you're expected to chaffer with the vendors at the bazaar

just a couple of blokes chaffering at the neighborhood pub

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English chaffare, from chep trade + fare journey — more at cheap entry 3, fare

First Known Use

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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Kids Definition

chaffer

verb

chaf·​fer

ˈchaf-ər

chaffered; chaffering

ˈchaf-(ə-)riŋ

: to dispute about a price

chafferer noun