What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hawking
Example
The street vendor was hawking his wares to passersby. [hawking: verb]
Example
The hawking of goods on the street is a common sight in many cities. [hawking: noun]
peddling
Example
The police arrested the man for peddling drugs on the street corner. [peddling: verb]
Example
The peddling of cheap goods by unlicensed vendors is a growing concern in the city. [peddling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hawking is more commonly used than peddling in everyday language, as it is a more versatile term that covers a wider range of contexts. Peddling is often used in a negative context and may not be as commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hawking and peddling?
Neither hawking nor peddling are particularly formal terms, as they are often associated with street vending and informal selling. However, hawking may be slightly more formal than peddling due to its association with licensed and regulated activities.
