Sell
/sɛl/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo give something to someone in exchange for money.
/sɛl/
To exchange something for money.
She sells handmade jewelry online.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a cool toy. Selling it means you give it to someone and they give you money in return. Like trading your baseball card for a candy bar, but with more grown-up things!
👶 For kids: To give something to someone so they give you money!
More Examples
We need to sell our house quickly.
The store sells a wide variety of groceries.
How It's Used
"The company sells electronics."
"I decided to sell my old car."
To persuade someone to accept or believe something.
/sɛl/
To persuade someone of something.
The advertisement successfully sold the concept of environmentally friendly products.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, selling means making someone believe something. Think of a friend trying to convince you to watch a movie. They're 'selling' it to you! They tell you how good it is!
👶 For kids: To make someone think something is a good idea!
More Examples
The speaker managed to sell his point of view to the audience.
He is trying to sell the idea of the benefits of exercise.
How It's Used
"The commercial aimed to sell the idea of a healthy lifestyle."
"The politician is trying to sell the new policy to the voters."
To be available to buy in a store
/sɛl/
To be available in a shop
The new book sells millions of copies.
💡 Simply: If a shop or store 'sells' something, it means you can buy it there! Like, a bookstore might 'sell' comic books.
👶 For kids: To have something for people to buy.
More Examples
This shop sells a wide range of clothing.
The cafe sells delicious coffee.
How It's Used
"The latest model of that phone sells out quickly."
"Do they sell stamps here?"
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
sell out
To sell all of one's inventory; To abandon one's principles or beliefs for personal gain or fame.
"The concert tickets sold out within hours."
sell short
To underestimate or fail to appreciate someone or something's value or potential.
"You're selling yourself short if you don't apply for that job."
From Old English *sellan, from Proto-Germanic *saljaną, from Proto-Indo-European *sel- ('to give, offer').
The word 'sell' has been used in English since the Old English period, retaining a core meaning related to exchange.
Memory tip
Think of a market: goods and services are offered in exchange for currency.
Word Origin
"to give, offer, or deliver something to someone in exchange for money or some other form of compensation"