Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who loudly advertises or attracts customers: Someone, typically at an entertainment venue like a carnival, circus, or sideshow, who stands outside and gives a loud, lively, and persuasive speech to draw in an audience or potential customers.
   • Informal term for a dog that barks: A dog, especially one that barks frequently or loudly.

Usage

• As a person advertising:
  • The carnival barker shouted about the amazing wonders inside the tent.
  • He worked as a barker for the freak show, enticing people with his booming voice.
• As a dog:
  • That little barker next door keeps me awake all night.
  • We couldn't calm down the excited barker.

Advanced Usage

• "Barker's spiel": Refers to the specific, often rehearsed, sales pitch or monologue delivered by a barker.
  • The barker's spiel was so convincing that a large crowd quickly gathered.

Variants and Related Words

• Bark (verb): To make the sharp, loud sound characteristic of a dog; to speak or shout in a loud, harsh voice.
  • The dog will bark at strangers.
  • The sergeant barked orders at the recruits.

Synonyms

• For the person: Hawker, pitchman, tout, spruiker (Australian informal).
• For the dog: Dog, hound, canine (though these are more general; "barker" specifically implies a barking dog).

Related Phrases

• "Like a barker at a fair": Used to describe someone who is being very loud and insistent in their promotion or speech.
  • He was selling his product like a barker at a fair, drawing everyone's attention.

Noun

1. informal terms for dogs
2. someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers