grocer
UK: ˈɡrəʊsə | US: ˈɡroʊsər
n. a person who sells food and household supplies
n. (historical) a wholesale dealer in spices, dried fruits, and other commodities
The word "grocer" originates from the Anglo-French term "grosser," meaning a wholesale merchant, derived from Latin "grossus" (large, bulky). Initially, grocers specialized in selling goods in bulk (spices, dried fruits, etc.). Over time, the term narrowed to refer to retailers of everyday food items. The "-er" suffix denotes a person engaged in the trade, preserving the original spelling while adapting to English morphology.
The grocer stocked fresh vegetables every morning.
She bought flour and sugar from the local grocer.
In medieval times, a grocer often traded exotic spices.
The grocer’s shop smelled of coffee and dried herbs.
Modern grocers now offer online delivery services.