Meaning & Definition of word "Mercantile"

Mercantile

/ˈmɜːrkənˌtaɪl/

adjective:

  • 1. Relating to commerce or trade.
    • Example: The mercantile policies of the era promoted trade and economic growth.
  • 2. Engaged in the business of commercial trade.
    • Example: She worked for a mercantile firm that specialized in importing goods from overseas.
  • 3. Of or relating to merchants.
    • Example: The town's mercantile history is evident in its old marketplaces.
  • 4. Characteristic of a merchant; commercial.
    • Example: His mercantile instincts led him to invest in several lucrative ventures.

Etymology

From Middle English, from Latin 'mercantilis', from 'mercans', the present participle of 'mercari' (to trade).

Common Phrases and Expressions

mercantile interests:

Business or trade interests that are focused on commerce.

mercantile exchange:

A marketplace for buying or selling commodities.

Related Words

merchant:

A person or company involved in wholesale trade.

commerce:

The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale.

trade:

The action of buying and selling goods and services.

Slang Meanings of mercantile

Meaning: Used to describe someone overly focused on profit.

Example Sentence: He's so mercantile, he wouldn't donate even a dollar to charity.

Meaning: Referring to a business that's only about making money.

Example Sentence: That place is all mercantile, no soul.