wholesale
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the business of selling goods in large quantities to shops, who then sell them to customers.
n.the business of selling goods in large quantities to retailers or other merchants rather than to the end consumer.
Simple“The company moved from retail into wholesale to reach more shops across the country.”
In context“By focusing on wholesale, the manufacturer was able to move massive volumes of inventory without the overhead costs of maintaining individual storefronts.”
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier in business contexts.
Synonymsbulk saledistributionAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.connected to the sale of goods in large amounts at lower prices.
adj.relating to the sale of goods in large quantities for the purpose of resale.
Simple“The wholesale price of the shirts is much lower than what you see in the shop.”
In context“The wholesale market experienced a significant shift as digital platforms allowed smaller boutiques to order directly from international factories.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adj.affecting everyone or everything; done on a very large scale without choosing carefully.
adj.extensive and indiscriminate; affecting a large number of people or things without distinction.
Simple“The new manager made wholesale changes to the way the office was run.”
In context“The government's wholesale rejection of the committee's recommendations sparked a heated debate among policy experts and the general public.”
Teacher's tipIn this figurative sense, the word often carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting that the changes were too broad or lacked careful thought.
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adv.buying or selling something in large quantities.
adv.in bulk or large quantity; at a wholesale price.
Simple“They buy their supplies wholesale to keep their costs as low as possible.”
In context“The restaurant chain sources its organic produce wholesale, ensuring a consistent supply for all its regional locations while maintaining profit margins.”
Synonymsin bulkAntonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to sell goods in large amounts to other businesses.
v.to engage in the sale of goods at wholesale prices or in large quantities.
Simple“The family business has wholesaled high-quality leather for over fifty years.”
In context“The firm transitioned its strategy to wholesale exclusively to European distributors, abandoning its previous direct-to-consumer model.”
Synonyms
“The raw material for the study that reached such a conclusion was the banana—its peels and parts unfit for sale collected from wholesale markets.”
“Pretty much all his greatest players were refined and improved rather than nurtured wholesale from childhood.”
From whole + sale.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.