Peddle
/ˈpɛdəl/
verbB2
Definition
Peddle means to sell things, usually by going around different places or directly to people. It can also mean to try to spread ideas or products, sometimes in a way that is not honest or trusted. Often, peddling involves small or informal sales, not in big stores.
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See It in Action
To sell goods by going from place to place
- •He peddled fruits and vegetables door to door.
- •Street vendors peddle snacks near the park.
- •She peddled handmade jewelry at the local fair.
To try to spread or promote something, often ideas or products, sometimes dishonestly
- •The company peddled false information to attract customers.
- •He was accused of peddling illegal drugs.
- •Beware of people peddling fake news on social media.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "peddle" like "sell," but smaller and often by walking or moving to find customers, not in a shop
- ✓Picture a person walking on the street with a small bag or cart, offering toys or snacks to people passing by
- ✓It's the feeling of trying to convince someone to buy something you carry with you, sometimes quickly or quietly
- ✓Sounds like "PED-dle" → imagine a person putting a small pedal on a bike to move around and sell things everywhere
- ✓In stories or movies, peddlers are often those who travel town to town selling small goods or sometimes tricks
- ✓NOT like "shop" or "store" where things are sold in one fixed place—peddle means moving around to sell
- ✓NOT like "market" which is a big place with many sellers—peddle is often one person selling small items
- ✓Sometimes peddle means selling things that are not good or honest, like fake products or bad ideas
Try Other Words
- •Sell: to exchange goods for money (Use when the selling is normal and honest)
- •Trade: to buy and sell goods (Use when talking about business or exchange, not informal selling)
- •Hawking: to sell goods loudly in public places (Use when sellers call out to attract customers)
- •Market: to promote or sell products (Use when talking about advertising more than direct selling)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix) — "peddle" is a single root word
- •Etymology: From Old English "pedde" or Middle English "pedelen," meaning to sell small goods or travel to sell
- •Historical development: Originally used for traveling sellers who moved from town to town with small goods
- •Modern usage: Used for informal selling, especially by moving sellers or sometimes for dishonest selling of goods or ideas
- •Interesting fact: The word is sometimes confused with "pedal," which relates to foot pedals, but "peddle" is about selling
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of peddling change when it is honest selling versus dishonest selling?
•Can you think of modern examples where people peddle goods or ideas in your community or online?
Fill in the blanks
1.People who peddle goods often ___ from place to place to find customers.
2.When someone peddles fake products, it means they are ___ honest.
3.Unlike a shop, peddle usually means selling in ___ amounts or small quantities.
4.The man was peddling newspapers on the street to ___ his daily income.
5.Sometimes, companies peddle ideas to ___ people to buy their products.
6.Peddle often pairs with words like "illegal" or "fake" to show ___ selling.
7.When you peddle something, you usually have to ___ people to buy it, not just wait for them.