supply
gb/səplˈaɪ/ us/səplˈaɪ/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Provide something needed
To give something that someone needs or asks for.
Usage pattern:
to supply [someone] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'supply' with 'provide' without noticing that 'supply' often implies a regular or ongoing arrangement.
Synonyms
provide (General term for giving something needed; very close in meaning.)
|
deliver (Focuses more on the act of bringing the item to a place.)
Antonyms
withhold (Means to refuse to give something that is needed or expected.)
Collocations
supply goods
|supply food
|supply water
|supply electricity
|supply information
Themes
business
|daily life
|logistics
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The company will supply the store with fresh fruit every morning.
- Volunteers are working to supply blankets to the homeless.
- We need to supply clean water to the affected villages.
- The army was supplied with food and ammunition.
- She supplied the police with important information.
Learner examples
- They supply food to the school.
- The farm supplies milk to many families.
- We supply water to the small town.
- He supplies books to the library.
- The shop supplies clothes to young people.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Amount available for use
A quantity of something that you can use.
Usage pattern:
a supply of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'supply' (noun) with 'supplies' (plural), which often refers to multiple items or resources.
Synonyms
stock (Refers to goods kept for future use; often interchangeable.)
|
provision (Often used for necessary items, especially food or equipment.)
Antonyms
shortage (Means there is not enough of something available.)
Collocations
food supply
|water supply
|energy supply
|medical supply
|limited supply
Themes
business
|daily life
|logistics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The town's water supply has been contaminated.
- We have a good supply of canned food in case of emergency.
- The hospital needs a constant supply of blood.
- Our electricity supply comes from renewable sources.
- There is a limited supply of tickets for the concert.
Learner examples
- We have a big supply of rice.
- The city has a clean water supply.
- He bought a supply of pencils for school.
- The shop has a small supply of apples.
- They need a supply of medicine.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Items or resources needed
Things you need for an activity, such as food or tools.
Usage pattern:
[adjective] supplies
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'supplies' (plural noun) with 'supply' (uncountable noun) meaning general availability.
Synonyms
equipment (Focuses more on tools and gear rather than consumables.)
|
materials (Refers broadly to physical things needed for work or activity.)
Antonyms
waste (Refers to materials no longer useful.)
Collocations
office supplies
|camping supplies
|medical supplies
|school supplies
Themes
daily life
|travel
|military
|daily_life
|work
Examples
- We packed enough camping supplies for the whole week.
- The school ordered new art supplies for the students.
- Aid workers distributed medical supplies to the refugees.
- I need to buy some office supplies before work tomorrow.
Learner examples
- We took camping supplies with us.
- The teacher gave us school supplies.
- They sent medical supplies to the village.
- I need office supplies for my job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
supply
IPA
GB/səplˈaɪ/
US/səplˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
sup - ply (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ply)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: supply
- Plural: supplies, supply
Verb
- Base: supply
- 3rd Person Singular: supplies
- Present Participle: supplying
- Past: supplied
Word family
Forms
supplies
noun
supplying
verb
supplied
verb
Core family
supplier
noun B1
Related words
resupply
verb
Advanced or less common
oversupply
verb
Expressions
run out of supplies
1/ɹˈʌn ˈaʊt əv səplˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
Use all available resources
To finish all the things you need so there are none left.
Examples
- We ran out of supplies halfway through the trip.
- The hospital ran out of medical supplies after the disaster.
supply chain
1/səplˈaɪ t͡ʃˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
System for producing and delivering goods
The system that moves products from where they are made to where they are sold or used.
Examples
- The pandemic disrupted the global supply chain.
- They are working to make their supply chain more efficient.
in short supply
1/ˈɪn ʃˈɔɹt səplˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
not enough available
Not available in a large enough amount; difficult to find because there is not much of it.
Examples
- Fresh vegetables are in short supply during the winter months.
- Affordable housing is in short supply in many big cities.
- Good jobs are in short supply in this area.
- During the drought, clean water was in short supply.
- Skilled nurses are in short supply at the moment.