ENGLISH
REFERENCE

furnish

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfɝnɪʃ// UK //fˈɜːnɪʃ// fur·nish

v. to put furniture into a room or building. It can also mean to provide someone with something they need, like information.

v. to provide a room or building with furniture and fittings; to supply or provide something necessary. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

They need to furnish the new apartment before they move in.

CONTEXTUAL

The agency agreed to furnish the committee with all the documents required for the investigation.

COMPLEX

While the landlord agreed to furnish the living area, the tenants were responsible for providing their own bedroom sets and kitchen appliances.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English furnysshen, from Old French furniss-, stem of certain parts of furnir, fornir (Modern French fournir), from Germanic, from Frankish frumjan (“to complete, execute”), from Proto-Germanic frumjaną (“to further, promote”), from Proto-Indo-European *promo- (“front, forward”). Cognate with Old High German frumjan (“to perform, provide”), Old High German fruma (“utility, gain”), Old English fremu (“profit, advantage”), Old English fremian (“to promote, perform”). More at frame, frim.

Usage

The verb is transitive. When meaning 'to provide', it often follows the pattern 'furnish someone with something' or 'furnish something to someone'.

Pitfall

The room was furnished by a desk.The room was furnished with a desk.When describing the items inside a room, use the preposition 'with' rather than 'by'.

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