Wholesale
UK //ˈhəʊl.seɪl//US //ˈhoʊl.seɪl//
Definition
Selling goods in large quantities, typically at reduced prices.
In simple words: Selling goods in large amounts, usually at lower prices.
Examples
- Retailers buy products at wholesale prices to make a profit.
- The store offers wholesale discounts for bulk purchases.
- He decided to sell his homemade products wholesale to local businesses.
- The wholesale market is a great place to find inexpensive goods.
- Buying wholesale can significantly reduce costs for retailers.
Usage notes
Used mostly in business contexts; it's not appropriate for casual conversation. Typically refers to bulk buying and selling.
Grammar pattern
standalone adjective
Memory hint
Wholesale sounds like 'whole sale'; think of buying a whole lot at a sale.
Collocations
- wholesale prices
- wholesale trade
- wholesale suppliers
- wholesale market
- purchase wholesale
Synonyms
- bulk sale
- mass sale
- large-scale sale
Antonyms
- retail
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'retail' (selling to individual customers).
- Incorrectly used to describe anything sold, when it specifically refers to bulk sales.