Sale
/seɪl/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of selling something; an agreement to exchange goods or services for money.
/seɪl/
The act of selling goods or services.
The annual summer sale at the department store attracts many customers.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're buying your favorite toy! A sale is when someone gives you something (like a toy) and you give them money in return. It's a trade!
👶 For kids: When you give someone money and they give you something you want.
More Examples
The company's sales team is working hard to meet their targets.
How It's Used
"The company reported a significant increase in sales this quarter."
"The store is having a clearance sale this weekend."
A temporary reduction in the usual price of goods.
/seɪl/
An event where goods are sold at reduced prices.
The department store is having a huge sale.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite store is having a special day where everything costs less! That's a sale! It's like a big discount event where they want to get rid of stuff.
👶 For kids: When things cost less money than usual.
More Examples
She got a dress on sale.
How It's Used
"I found a great deal on the shoes at the end-of-season sale."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
on sale
Available for purchase at a reduced price.
"The shoes are on sale this week."
for sale
Available for purchase.
"The house is for sale."
going on sale
To be available at a lower price in the future.
"The new products are going on sale next week."
From Middle English *sale*, from Old English *salu* (which meant 'a selling, the act of selling, a yielding, a surrender'), related to *sell*. The meaning broadened to encompass events where goods are offered at discounted prices.
Historically, the word 'sale' was used more broadly to mean a surrender or yielding, but its modern business context emerged in the Middle Ages.
Memory tip
Think of exchanging money for an item at a store.
Word Origin
"a selling, the act of selling, a yielding, a surrender"