What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vendor
Example
The vendor at the fair sold handmade jewelry. [vendor: noun]
Example
She set up a small business as a street vendor selling tacos. [vendor: noun]
merchant
Example
The merchant imported spices from India to sell in his store. [merchant: noun]
Example
She worked as a merchant in the fashion industry, buying and selling clothing. [merchant: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vendor is more commonly used in everyday language than merchant. Vendor is often used to describe sellers in public spaces or markets, while merchant is more commonly used in business or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vendor and merchant?
Merchant is generally considered more formal than vendor, which is often associated with a more casual or informal tone. Merchant is commonly used in business or formal contexts, while vendor is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
