peddle

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To sell goods, often by traveling from place to place or in a small, informal way.

   Grammar: Can take an object: peddle goods. Can also be used without an object: He peddles for a living.

   Patterns

   • peddle something
   • peddle something to someone
   • peddle from place to place

   He peddles fruit and vegetables from a cart in the market.

   She was arrested for peddling counterfeit watches on the street.

   They peddle their handmade jewelry at local fairs.

2. 2verbtransitivedisapproving

   To spread ideas, rumors, or information that are not true or are considered dubious.

   Grammar: Takes an object, often ideas or information: peddle rumors.

   Patterns

   • peddle rumors
   • peddle lies
   • peddle influence

   Politicians often peddle fear to win votes.

   He was accused of peddling false information about the vaccine.

   The website peddles conspiracy theories.

Word forms

Common combinations

peddle drugs

He was caught peddling drugs near the school.

peddle influence

The lobbyist was accused of peddling influence in Washington.

peddle a story

She peddled a story about her wealthy background, but no one believed her.

peddle wares

The merchant peddled his wares at the busy port.

Synonyms and how they differ

sell

Sell is the general word for exchanging goods for money, while peddle emphasizes small-scale, often itinerant selling.

hawk

Hawk means to sell goods in the street or by calling out, similar to peddle but often more vocal.

vend

Vend is formal and often used for machines or official sales, not for informal peddling.

Opposites

Word family

peddler noun

A person who peddles goods.

peddling noun

The activity of selling goods in this way.

Commonly confused: peddle or pedal? peddle or petal?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “peddle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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