wholesale
gb/hˈoʊlsˌeɪl/ us/hˈoʊlsˌeɪl/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
in large quantities for resale
When goods are sold in big amounts to stores, not directly to the people who use them.
Usage pattern:
to sell [something] wholesale
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'wholesale' with 'retail', using 'wholesale' to mean 'cheap' in all contexts.
Synonyms
in bulk (Emphasizes quantity but not necessarily for resale)
Antonyms
retail (Refers to selling directly to consumers in small quantities)
Collocations
buy wholesale
|sell wholesale
|wholesale prices
|wholesale market
Themes
business
|commerce
|finance
Examples
- The company sells its clothing wholesale to department stores.
- We bought the fruit wholesale from a local supplier.
- Many manufacturers offer discounts for wholesale purchases.
Learner examples
- The shop buys bread wholesale from a baker.
- We get our paper wholesale from a big company.
- They sell shoes wholesale to small stores.
adjective
B1
property
2
related to bulk selling for resale
About selling things in big amounts to other sellers, not to the final buyers.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'wholesales' as a plural noun, which is incorrect in this sense.
Synonyms
bulk (Informal; focuses on size or amount)
Antonyms
retail (Opposite business model, selling directly to consumers)
Collocations
wholesale trade
|wholesale price
|wholesale distributor
Themes
business
|commerce
|finance
Examples
- She works for a wholesale distributor of electronics.
- Wholesale prices are usually much lower than retail prices.
- The city has a large wholesale market for fresh produce.
Learner examples
- He works in wholesale food.
- This is a wholesale store.
- We have a wholesale market here.
Noun
B1
action
3
sale of goods in bulk for resale
The business of selling big amounts of products to shops, not to people who use them.
Synonyms
bulk trade (Less common; emphasizes trade aspect)
Antonyms
retail (Selling directly to end customers)
Collocations
enter wholesale
|work in wholesale
|wholesale business
Themes
business
|commerce
|finance
Examples
- He made his fortune in wholesale.
- Wholesale is an important part of the supply chain.
- The company expanded from retail into wholesale.
Learner examples
- My uncle works in wholesale.
- Wholesale is cheaper than retail.
- They moved from retail to wholesale.
adverb
B2
property
4
completely and without exception
Fully and affecting all parts or people.
Common mistake:
'Wholesale' in this sense is often misinterpreted as related to buying or selling goods.
Synonyms
entirely (General term for completeness)
Antonyms
partially (Only affecting part of something)
Collocations
wholesale destruction
|wholesale change
|wholesale slaughter
Themes
general
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The policy led to the wholesale closure of small businesses.
- There was wholesale destruction after the storm.
- Critics condemned the plan as a wholesale attack on free speech.
Learner examples
- The fire caused wholesale damage.
- They made wholesale changes to the rules.
- The war brought wholesale death.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wholesale
IPA
GB/hˈoʊlsˌeɪl/
US/hˈoʊlsˌeɪl/
Syllables & stress
whole - sale (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (whole)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: wholesale
Word family
Core family
wholesaler
noun B2
Related words
sale
noun A2
Expressions
buy wholesale
1/bˈaɪ hˈoʊlsˌeɪl/
fixed phrase
purchase goods in bulk for resale
To get products in big amounts, often from a supplier, usually for selling them again.
Examples
- Small shops often buy wholesale to save money.
- Restaurants usually buy wholesale from food suppliers.
sell wholesale
1/sˈɛl hˈoʊlsˌeɪl/
fixed phrase
sell goods in bulk for resale
To give products to other sellers in big amounts, not directly to people who use them.
Examples
- They sell wholesale to supermarkets across the country.
- Farmers often sell wholesale to distributors.
wholesale change
1/hˈoʊlsˌeɪl t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
complete and major change
A big and complete change in something.
Examples
- The new manager made a wholesale change in company policy.
- There has been a wholesale change in public opinion.
wholesale destruction
1/hˈoʊlsˌeɪl dɪstɹˈʌkʃən/
fixed phrase
complete and widespread destruction
Total damage over a large area or affecting many things.
Examples
- The hurricane caused wholesale destruction along the coast.
- War often brings wholesale destruction.
wholesale price
1/hˈoʊlsˌeɪl pɹˈaɪs/
fixed phrase
price for goods sold in bulk for resale
The cost of products when they are sold in big amounts to stores or businesses.
Examples
- The store gets shoes at a low wholesale price.
- Wholesale prices are lower than retail prices.