What does monger mean?
Monger means a person who trades in a particular kind of goods, typically as an established occupation rather than as a casual seller. The term is now uncommon as an independent word and is encountered chiefly in occupational compounds, especially fishmonger, cheesemonger, and the more historical costermonger. A fishmonger sells fish, a cheesemonger sells cheese, and a costermonger formerly sold fruit, vegetables, and other goods from a stall. Although the word may sound quaint, these names remain active in modern British English and in the names of specialist shops. The distinction between a monger and a general merchant is chiefly one of emphasis: a monger is associated with selling one type of commodity, while a merchant may trade in many kinds of goods. Because it preserves the language of traditional trades and market sellers, monger has a nostalgic, distinctly occupational character.
nounA dealer or trader in a particular commodity, especially a person who sells goods in a market or from a shop. The word now occurs chiefly in occupational compounds such as fishmonger and cheesemonger.
- A person who deals in or sells a particular kind of commodity, usually as a trade or occupation.
"Her great-grandfather was a fishmonger in the old market district."
"The fishmonger opens his stall before sunrise."
"She trained as a cheesemonger before opening a cheese shop of her own."
The plural is uncommon in modern standalone use but is standard in plural occupational forms such as fishmongers.
"The fishmongers and their families lived near the docks."
The word survives most visibly in shop names: a fishmonger sells fish, while a cheesemonger sells cheese.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of monger
The word comes through Old English mangere from Latin mango, meaning a trader or dealer. Latin mango is in turn associated with mangere, “to mix or blend,” the same ultimate root found in words such as mangle and mangy. Its development led to the modern emphasis on a person who deals in a particular commodity.
Related word forms
How monger is actually used
As a standalone word, monger sounds old-fashioned or literary and is chiefly associated with British usage. It is much more familiar as the second element of occupational compounds.