Word

haberdasher

Meaning

A haberdasher is a seller of sewing supplies in British English, or a seller of men's clothing in American English; the word can also mean the shop.

Meanings of “haberdasher”

  1. A person who sells sewing supplies, or a shop that sells them.12

    Tone
    Neutral occupational or shop term in British usage.
    Where you’ll see it
    British English. Cambridge lists cloth, pins and thread; Merriam-Webster uses notions, meaning small sewing supplies.

    Examples

    • Original illustrative example: I bought matching thread from the haberdasher.
    • Original illustrative example: The haberdasher on the corner sells pins and needles.

    Examples are written for this site to show typical use. They are not quotes.

  2. A person who sells men's clothing, or a shop selling it.12

    Tone
    Cambridge labels the American sense old-fashioned.
    Where you’ll see it
    American English. Merriam-Webster includes men's clothing and accessories; Cambridge also explicitly includes the shop.

    Examples

    • Original illustrative example: The haberdasher helped him choose a jacket for the ceremony.
    • Original illustrative example: The old advertisement listed the address of a local haberdasher.

Usage notes

  • The regional distinction matters: a British reference to a haberdasher may concern sewing supplies rather than a menswear shop.
  • Haberdasher can name the seller or the shop. Haberdashery can name the goods, the shop or a department selling them. Cambridge gives sewing supplies for the British sense of haberdashery and men's clothing for its old-fashioned American sense.
  • This entry explains the word, not a particular retailer. All examples are original illustrations, not quotations.

Origin

Origin not verified.

Sources

  1. haberdasher, Cambridge Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.orgAccessed Back to text

    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/haberdasher

  2. haberdasher, Merriam-Webster

    merriam-webster.comAccessed Back to text

    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haberdasher

  3. haberdashery, Cambridge Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.orgAccessed

    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/haberdashery