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

• dealer
• merchandiser
• merchant
• tradesman
• trafficker

Examples of trader in a Sentence

She is a stock trader.

early explorers and fur traders

Recent Examples on the Web

How the stock market has changed since Election Day The downturn since mid-February is in stark contrast to the 4.5% run-up in the S&P 500 following Trump's election when traders predicted his administration would usher in more business-friendly policies. —Jim Sergent, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025

Gold, a traditional safe haven asset, is up around 15% so far this year as traders and central banks buy it to hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainties. —Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Like clockwork, traders sold off stock in markets across the globe, and economists warned that inflation will be higher than anticipated a few months ago. —Justin Worland, Time, 4 Apr. 2025

But for the moment, retail traders are making Newsmax one of the most volatile stocks on the street. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025

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