ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wholesale

n. · adj. · adv. · v.
US //ˈhoʊɫˌseɪɫ// UK //hˈəʊlseɪl// whole·sale
  1. 1 bulk selling (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Business

    the business of selling goods in large quantities to shops, who then sell them to customers.

    the business of selling goods in large quantities to retailers or other merchants rather than to the end consumer.

    Example

    The company moved from retail into wholesale to reach more shops across the country.

    Example

    By focusing on wholesale, the manufacturer was able to move massive volumes of inventory without the overhead costs of maintaining individual storefronts.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier in business contexts.
  2. 2 related to bulk sales (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Business

    connected to the sale of goods in large amounts at lower prices.

    relating to the sale of goods in large quantities for the purpose of resale.

    Example

    The wholesale price of the shirts is much lower than what you see in the shop.

    Example

    The wholesale market experienced a significant shift as digital platforms allowed smaller boutiques to order directly from international factories.
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  1. 3 complete or total (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    affecting everyone or everything; done on a very large scale without choosing carefully.

    extensive and indiscriminate; affecting a large number of people or things without distinction.

    Example

    The new manager made wholesale changes to the way the office was run.

    Example

    The government's wholesale rejection of the committee's recommendations sparked a heated debate among policy experts and the general public.

    Teacher's tip

    In this figurative sense, the word often carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting that the changes were too broad or lacked careful thought.
  2. 4 in large amounts (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Business

    buying or selling something in large quantities.

    in bulk or large quantity; at a wholesale price.

    Example

    They buy their supplies wholesale to keep their costs as low as possible.

    Example

    The restaurant chain sources its organic produce wholesale, ensuring a consistent supply for all its regional locations while maintaining profit margins.
    • in bulk
  3. 5 to sell in bulk (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Business

    to sell goods in large amounts to other businesses.

    to engage in the sale of goods at wholesale prices or in large quantities.

    Example

    The family business has wholesaled high-quality leather for over fifty years.

    Example

    The firm transitioned its strategy to wholesale exclusively to European distributors, abandoning its previous direct-to-consumer model.
Origin

From whole + sale.

Word family

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