sell
/sel/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To give something to someone for money. In business, it can also mean offering goods to customers.
- They sell fruit at the market.
- We sold the old car last week.
- This shop sells handmade bags.
- 2.
To persuade someone to buy or accept something. It can also mean to make an idea sound attractive.
- The agent tried to sell the house quickly.
- Her pitch sold the idea to the team.
- He can sell even a simple product well.
- 3.
To betray someone by giving them to an enemy or by helping others harm them.
- He sold his friends to the police.
- They said he sold the group out.
- She felt sold out by her own team.
Adinary Nuance
Sell is broader than trade and more active than offer. Use sell when money changes hands, or when you are trying to persuade someone. In business writing, it is the usual verb for products, services, and ideas. It can sound negative in phrases like sell out or sell someone out.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bán
- Spanish
- vender
- Chinese
- 卖
- Japanese
- 売る
- Korean
- 팔다
Etymology
Old English sellan meant “to give” or “to hand over.” Over time, it developed the more specific meaning of giving something for money.
Common phrases
sell outsell offsell at a discountsell yourself
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between sell and trade?
- Sell means give something for money. Trade means exchange one thing for another, often without cash.
- Is sell a formal word in business English?
- Yes, it is very common in business English. It is natural for products, services, and ideas.
- What does sell out mean?
- Sell out means all items are sold. It can also mean to betray your values for gain.
- Can sell be used for ideas?
- Yes. You can sell an idea, plan, or proposal when you persuade people to accept it.