wholesale
HOHL-sayl
/ˈhəʊl.seɪl/
The selling of goods in large quantities to be retailed by others.
It implies a lower price per unit because of the high volume and lack of individual customer service.
The story behind the word. A Middle English compound of 'whole' (complete/entire) and 'sale'. It literally means selling the 'whole' amount rather than breaking it into pieces.
Word relationships
- bulk: Bulk refers to the physical size/quantity; wholesale refers to the commercial transaction type.
- retail: Selling in small quantities directly to the end consumer.
Commonly confused with
- warehouse: A warehouse is a building; wholesale is a business method (though they often happen in the same place).
Word family
- wholesaler (noun): A person or company that sells goods in large quantities.
Collocations
- wholesale price
- wholesale market
- wholesale trade
Idioms & expressions
- wholesale changes (complete and extensive changes)
Example sentences
- "The bakery buys its flour at wholesale prices to keep the cost of bread affordable." Business model.
- "The new manager made wholesale changes to the department's staff." Metaphorical usage.
Memory hook
Selling the 'WHOLE' lot in one 'SALE'. Wholesale is for the big buyers.
When not to use
Don't use it to describe selling one item to a friend, even if you give them a 'good price'.
Fun facts
- Costco is a 'wholesale club,' meaning it uses a wholesale business model but sells to individual members.
Related words
Explore more words
barter, trafficking, distribution, warehousing, cartel, broker
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