realtor
UK: ˈriːəltə | US: ˈriːəltər
n. a person who acts as an agent for the sale and purchase of buildings and land; a real estate agent.
realtor = real<relating to property> + or<agent suffix>
- real: Derived from Latin realis (relating to things, from res "thing, property"). In modern usage, it specifically refers to real estate (land and buildings).
- or: A suffix of Latin origin (-or) denoting a person who performs a specific action (e.g., "actor," "doctor").
Etymology Origin:
The word "realtor" was coined in the early 20th century (1916) by the U.S. National Association of Real Estate Boards (now NAR) to brand its members as professionals. It combines "real" (from real estate) with "-tor," a Latin-derived suffix for agents, mimicking words like "actor." The spelling was intentionally crafted to appear authoritative and distinct from generic terms like "agent."
The realtor showed us three houses in the neighborhood.
She hired a licensed realtor to help sell her apartment.
Realtors must adhere to a strict code of ethics.
The realtor negotiated a lower price for the buyers.
He became a successful realtor after years of experience.