English · Word Candidate

merchandise

/ˈmɜː.t͡ʃənˌdaɪs/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: merchandises · merchandising · merchandised

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Goods which are or were offered or intended for sale.

Noun

Examples

Good business depends on having good merchandise.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Commercial goods connected (branded) with an entity such as a team, band, company, charity, work of fiction, festival, or meme. (Commonly shortened to merch.)

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To engage in in-store promotion of the sale of goods, as by display and arrangement of goods.

Verb

Examples

He started his career merchandising in a small clothing store chain.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To engage in in-store promotion of the sale of.

Verb

Examples

He got hired to merchandise some new sporting goods lines.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “merchandise” mean?

Goods which are or were offered or intended for sale.

Is “merchandise” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.