# sold

/ˈsoʊɫd/ (US) · /sˈəʊld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sold
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. past tense of sell

verb · CEFR A1

the past form of 'sell'. You use this when you gave something to someone and they paid you for it.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of 'sell'. It describes the completed transaction of transferring ownership for money.

- He sold his old bicycle to a neighbor for fifty dollars.
- The company sold its remaining shares in the venture just before the market began its sharp decline in late autumn.

Usage: As a past participle, it is used in passive constructions and perfect tenses.

## Examples

- I sold my old car to a neighbor yesterday.
- The company sold its most profitable division to a competitor to raise cash for new investments.
- Having sold the majority of his shares before the market crash, the investor was able to maintain his lifestyle while others faced significant financial ruin.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
