What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dicker
Example
He spent hours dickering with the salesman to get a better deal. [dickering: gerund or present participle]
Example
They were able to dicker down the price of the car to a more reasonable amount. [dicker: verb]
bargain
Example
I got a great bargain on this dress at the thrift store. [bargain: noun]
Example
She bargained with her boss for a higher salary. [bargain: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bargain is more commonly used than dicker in everyday language. Bargain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dicker is less common and more regional.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dicker and bargain?
Both dicker and bargain are informal words and are typically used in casual or business contexts. However, dicker may be considered slightly more informal due to its regional usage and negative connotation.