Definition

1. Verb:
   • To sell or offer goods for sale while traveling from place to place: The core meaning of "peddle" involves moving around to sell items, often small goods, directly to consumers.
   • To promote or try to sell (an idea, belief, etc.) in a persistent or intrusive way: Used figuratively to describe the act of trying to get people to accept an idea, often one that is questionable or unwelcome.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Literal - selling goods):
  • He used to peddle fruits and vegetables from a cart in the neighborhood.
  • Street vendors peddle souvenirs to tourists near the monument.
• Verb (Figurative - promoting ideas):
  • The politician was accused of peddling false promises to gain votes.
  • Be wary of websites that peddle conspiracy theories.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to peddle one's wares": A common phrase meaning to sell the goods one has to offer.
  • Artisans set up stalls in the market square to peddle their wares.
• The word often carries a slightly negative or informal connotation, implying the goods or ideas being sold are of low quality, trivial, or illicit.
  • He was arrested for peddling counterfeit watches.

Variants and Related Words

• Peddler (noun): A person who peddles goods; a traveling seller.
  • The peddler traveled from village to village with his pack.
• Peddling (noun/gerund): The act of selling goods as a peddler.
  • The city has regulations against unlicensed peddling.

Synonyms

• Hawk: To offer (goods) for sale by calling out in the street. (e.g., )
• Vend: To offer (small items) for sale. (More formal/legal)
• Tout: To attempt to sell (something) in a persistent or aggressive manner.

Phrasal Verbs

• Peddle around: (Less common) To take something around to different places to sell or promote it.
  • She spent the summer peddling her handmade jewelry around at local fairs.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Peddle influence: To use one's position or power in an improper way to gain favors.
  • The lobbyist was suspected of trying to peddle influence among the senators.
• Peddle gossip/rumors: To spread gossip or rumors actively.
  • She has a bad habit of peddling gossip about her coworkers.

Verb

1. sell or offer for sale from place to place