provide
gb/pɹəvˈaɪd/ us/pɹəvˈaɪd/
A2
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Give or supply something
To give something to someone or make it ready for them to use.
Usage pattern:
to provide [someone] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'provide' with 'offer'. 'Provide' means to actually make available, while 'offer' means to say you are willing to give.
Synonyms
give (More general; 'provide' often implies preparation or arrangement.)
|
supply (Often used for goods or resources in a business or practical context.)
Antonyms
withhold (To deliberately not give something that could be given.)
Collocations
provide information
|provide support
|provide assistance
|provide service
|provide access
Themes
daily life
|business
|services
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The hotel will provide towels for all guests.
- This program provides students with free textbooks.
- Our company provides technical support 24/7.
- The teacher provided a list of useful websites.
- The charity provides food to families in need.
Learner examples
- They provide free lunch at school.
- My parents provide me with money for books.
- The shop provides bags for customers.
- We provide water for the runners.
- This app provides music for free.
Verb
B2
action
2
Specify in law or rules
To say in a rule or law that something must happen.
Usage pattern:
to provide that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is mainly used in formal or legal contexts and should not be used in casual conversation.
Synonyms
stipulate (More formal and legalistic than 'provide'.)
Antonyms
omit (To leave out a requirement or condition from a rule or law.)
Collocations
provide that
|terms provide
|law provides
Themes
law
|rules
|business
Examples
- The contract provides that payment must be made within 30 days.
- The law provides that children must attend school until age 16.
- The agreement provides that disputes will be settled by arbitration.
Learner examples
- The rule provides that you must wear shoes.
- This law provides that people can vote at 18.
- The contract provides that we pay on time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
provide
IPA
GB/pɹəvˈaɪd/
US/pɹəvˈaɪd/
Syllables & stress
provide (1 syllable)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: provide
- 3rd Person Singular: provides
- Present Participle: providing
- Past: provided
Word family
Forms
provides
verb
providing
verb
provided
verb
Related words
provisional
adjective B2
provisionally
adverb
Expressions
provide against
1/pɹəvˈaɪd əɡˈɛnst/
phrasal verb
formal
Prevent possible problems
To take steps to stop something bad from happening.
Examples
- The policy provides against sudden loss of income.
- We must provide against possible delays.
provide for
1/pɹəvˈaɪd fɚ/
phrasal verb
Plan for someone's future needs
To plan or arrange so someone will have what they need later.
Examples
- She worked hard to provide for her family after her husband died.
- Parents should provide for their children's education.