Word
provide
Phoneticspro·vide, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹəˈvaɪd/
UK/pɹəvˈaɪd/
Definitions
01to supply or give
A2 · Elementary
v. to give someone something they need, like food, money, or information.
v. to furnish or supply something required or desired. Transitive; often takes a direct object or follows the pattern 'provide someone with something'.
日本語:与える※
“The school provides all the books and pens for the students.”
“The local charity provides hot meals and temporary shelter for those displaced by the recent flooding.”
Usage
Commonly used with the prepositions 'with' (for the recipient) or 'for' (for the beneficiary).
Pitfall
The 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'.
02to make possible
B1 · Intermediate
v. to make it possible for something to happen.
v. to yield or afford an opportunity or result; to make a particular outcome attainable.
“The new park provides a great space for children to play safely.”
“The internship provides a unique opportunity for graduates to gain hands-on experience in the competitive fashion industry.”
03to support a family
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to earn enough money to pay for the things your family needs.
v. to earn a livelihood or provide the means of subsistence for oneself or one's dependents.
“He worked two jobs to provide for his three children.”
“After the factory closed, many families struggled to provide for their basic needs without a steady income.”
Usage
Usually used intransitively with the preposition 'for'.
Antonyms
04to state a rule
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
v. to state a rule or condition in a legal document.
v. to establish as a condition or requirement within a legal or formal framework; to stipulate.
“The contract provides that the work must be finished by June.”
“The treaty provides that all signatory nations must reduce their carbon emissions by twenty percent over the next decade.”
Usage
Often followed by a 'that' clause in formal or legal writing.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “provide” in context.
Real-World Examples
“NATO's top commander said on Thursday the United States would continue to provide "critical but more limited capabilities" to the alliance as Europeans take up a greater role in defending the continent.” “India's Supreme Court has ordered the federal government to provide a clear pathway for the implementation of food warning labels on packaged products within 10 days, ratcheting up pressure on New Delhi to implement the public health measure.” “Thailand's finance minister said on Wednesday that a government programme to provide 50 billion baht ($1.52 billion) in support to consumers to install rooftop solar panels will start in mid-October.” “A court-appointed monitor has found that California's largest immigration detention facility did not provide adequate medical care to detainees and violated an earlier court order to do so, according to a filing.” Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/provide
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0