market
gb/mˈɑɹkɪt/ us/mˈɑɹkɪt/
A1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Place for buying and selling
A place, online or in real life, where people sell and buy things.
Usage pattern:
[someone] goes to the market
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'market' with 'supermarket'. A supermarket is a specific type of large store, while a market can be any place where buying and selling happens.
Synonyms
bazaar (Often used for traditional or exotic markets, especially in Middle Eastern or Asian contexts.)
Antonyms
wilderness (A place with no trade or commerce; the opposite of a market environment.)
Collocations
local market
|farmers' market
|street market
|open-air market
|go to the market
Themes
business
|daily life
|commerce
|daily_life
Examples
- We bought fresh vegetables at the local market.
- The town's weekly market attracts many visitors.
- I found a rare book at a street market.
- She sells handmade jewelry at the market every Saturday.
- The market was crowded with tourists looking for souvenirs.
Learner examples
- I went to the market to buy fruit.
- The market is full of people.
- We saw many shops in the market.
- He sells bread at the market.
- They visit the market every Sunday.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Economic system of trade
All the people and companies that buy and sell things in a country or area.
Usage pattern:
the [adjective] market
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'market' as a system with 'market' as a place. Context usually clarifies which one is meant.
Synonyms
economy (Refers to the broader system of production, distribution, and consumption, not just buying and selling.)
Antonyms
nonmarket economy (An economy where goods and services are not traded freely but allocated by other means.)
Collocations
global market
|housing market
|job market
|financial market
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
Examples
- The housing market has been slowing down this year.
- Our company is trying to expand into the Asian market.
- The global market is influenced by political events.
- There is high competition in the job market.
- The stock market fell after the announcement.
Learner examples
- The job market is very competitive.
- They want to enter the European market.
- The housing market is growing fast.
- The global market changes quickly.
- The stock market is risky.
Verb
B2
action
3
Promote and sell products
To try to sell something by telling people about it.
Usage pattern:
to market [a product/service] to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'market' (verb) with 'sell'. Marketing includes promotion and advertising, not just the final sale.
Synonyms
promote (Focuses more on raising awareness than on actual selling.)
Antonyms
ignore (Not taking steps to promote or sell something.)
Collocations
market a product
|market directly to consumers
|market effectively
Themes
business
|marketing
|communication
Examples
- They plan to market the new phone to young adults.
- The company markets its services through social media.
- It's important to understand your audience when marketing a product.
- She knows how to market herself to potential employers.
Learner examples
- We will market our new shoes online.
- They know how to market their business.
- He markets his books on social media.
- The company markets its cars worldwide.
Noun
B1
quantity
4
Demand for something
How many people want to buy something.
Usage pattern:
there is a market for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'market' meaning demand with 'market' meaning place. The phrase 'a market for' usually refers to demand.
Synonyms
demand (Refers generally to desire and ability to purchase; 'market' here implies an existing group of buyers.)
Antonyms
oversupply (Too much supply without enough demand from buyers.)
Collocations
create a market for
|no market for
|huge market for
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
Examples
- There's a growing market for electric cars.
- No market exists for such outdated technology.
- They are trying to create a market for their new app.
Learner examples
- There is a big market for coffee here.
- We see no market for this product.
- He found a good market for his art.
Grammar
Dictionary form
market
IPA
GB/mˈɑɹkɪt/
US/mˈɑɹkɪt/
Syllables & stress
mar - ket (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: market
- Plural: market, markets
Verb
- Base: market
- 3rd Person Singular: markets
- Present Participle: marketing
- Past: marketed
Word family
Forms
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unmarketable
adjective
Advanced or less common
marketability
noun C1
Expressions
flood the market
1/flˈʌd ðə mˈɑɹkɪt/
idiom
Oversupply a product
To offer so much of something for sale that people do not want it as much anymore.
Examples
- Cheap imports have flooded the market, lowering prices.
- If they flood the market with copies, sales will fall.
in the market for [something]
1/ˈɪn ðə mˈɑɹkɪt fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Looking to buy something now
Wanting to buy something right now.
Examples
- We’re in the market for a new car this year.
- Are you in the market for a used laptop?
on the market
1/ˈɔn ðə mˈɑɹkɪt/
fixed phrase
Available for sale
Ready and available for people to buy.
Examples
- Their house is now on the market for $300,000.
- This is the best smartphone on the market right now.
play the market
1/plˈeɪ ðə mˈɑɹkɪt/
idiom
Trade stocks for profit
To try to make money by buying and selling shares or goods when prices change.
Examples
- He made a fortune playing the stock market.
- Many amateurs lose money when they play the market.
corner the market
1/kˈɔɹnɚ ðə mˈɑɹkɪt/
idiom
Control most of a market
To get control of most sales of a product or service so that others cannot compete well.
Examples
- They hope to corner the market in organic snacks.
- They have cornered the market in eco-friendly cleaning products.
- The company has cornered the market on electric cars.
- The company aims to corner the luxury watch market.