sale
Pluralsales
- 1The act of giving goods or services to someone in exchange for money.
Like trading a toy for some money: you give the thing and you get money back.
The sale of their old house brought in enough money for a trip.
After much talk, the sale finally happened and the keys changed hands.
UsageSomething you can buy is for sale.
Similarselling, transaction, deal, disposal
Oppositepurchase, acquisition
- 2Short form of discount sale. It means goods sold at lower prices for a while.
The store is having a big sale this weekend.
I bought these shoes on sale for half price.
UsageA shop has a sale. Things offered for less than their usual price are on sale.
- 3The act of offering something so it can be bought by the person who offers the most money.
Like a contest where the thing goes to whoever offers the most money.
The sale began once all the bidders had taken their seats.
At the sale, the antique clock went to the highest bidder.
Similarauction
- 4The job of selling a company's products, or the part of the company that does it.
My uncle has worked in sales for twenty years.
Ask someone in sales about the price, because I just fix the machines.
Note
Less common meaning
- 5A large room or hall in a building.
Note
Practice
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Origins
From Old English sala, meaning the act of selling. It came from Old Norse sala.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Sale derives from Old English sala, meaning the act of selling. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English sala came from Old Norse sala. en.wiktionary.org
From Old English sæl, meaning a room, hall, or castle.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Sale in its hall sense derives from Old English sæl. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English sæl meant a room, hall, or castle. en.wiktionary.org