provide
- 01 A2 Elementary
to give someone something they need, like food, money, or information.
to furnish or supply something required or desired. Transitive; often takes a direct object or follows the pattern 'provide someone with something'.
Simple“The school provides all the books and pens for the students.”
In context“The local charity provides hot meals and temporary shelter for those displaced by the recent flooding.”
UsageCommonly used with the prepositions 'with' (for the recipient) or 'for' (for the beneficiary).
PitfallThe hotel provides to us towels. The hotel provides us with towels.You provide someone WITH something, or provide something FOR someone. Do not use 'provide to someone'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
to make it possible for something to happen.
to yield or afford an opportunity or result; to make a particular outcome attainable.
Simple“The new park provides a great space for children to play safely.”
In context“The internship provides a unique opportunity for graduates to gain hands-on experience in the competitive fashion industry.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to earn enough money to pay for the things your family needs.
to earn a livelihood or provide the means of subsistence for oneself or one's dependents.
Simple“He worked two jobs to provide for his three children.”
In context“After the factory closed, many families struggled to provide for their basic needs without a steady income.”
UsageUsually used intransitively with the preposition 'for'.
- 04 C1 Advanced
to state a rule or condition in a legal document.
to establish as a condition or requirement within a legal or formal framework; to stipulate.
Simple“The contract provides that the work must be finished by June.”
In context“The treaty provides that all signatory nations must reduce their carbon emissions by twenty percent over the next decade.”
UsageOften followed by a 'that' clause in formal or legal writing.
Usage provide your feedback · provides funding · provides context
Inherited from Middle English providen, from Latin prōvidēre (“to foresee, act with foresight”). Doublet of purvey.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.