sell
Pluralsells
- 1To give someone goods or services in return for money.
Like swapping something you own for money instead of for another thing.
They sell fresh fruit at the corner shop.
He works at the market and loves to sell.
UsageSell something to someone. The noun is sale: for sale.
Note
- 2To be bought by customers, often in a certain amount or at a certain speed.
The new phones sell quickly every year.
Warm coats sell well when winter comes.
UsageAdd how or for how much: it sells well, it sold for $20.
Similargo (entry), retail, move
Note
- 3To get people to believe an idea, plan, or thing is good, so they accept it or want it.
Like trying to get your friends to agree with your idea.
The mayor tried to sell her plan to skeptical voters.
He spent the whole meeting selling his vision for the company.
UsageSell an idea to someone.
- 4
Less common meanings
- 5The work of getting people to accept an idea.
Convincing them to move was a hard sell.
The new policy proved an easy sell with the public.
UsageSay a hard sell or an easy sell.
Similarproposition
- 6A single act of giving goods to a buyer for money.
She made one buy and one sell before lunch.
The app shows every buy and sell in your account.
UsageUsed with buy in trading. For shops, say a sale.
Similarsale, deal, transaction
- 7A trick or hoax that leaves someone feeling foolish or let down.
What a sell for Lena!
1922, Katherine Mansfield, The Doll's HouseHere, sell means a letdown or trick that leaves someone disappointed."Of course a miracle may happen, and you may be a great painter, but you must confess the chances are a million to one against it. It'll be an awful sell if at the end you have to acknowledge you've made a hash of it."
1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, The Moon and SixpenceSimilarletdown, disappointment, swindle, hoax, sham
Note
- 8A seat that a rider puts on a horse's back.
Note
- 9A seat or simple stool for sitting on.
Note
- 10A rope, usually used to tie up cattle.
Note
- 11To fool or cheat someone for your own gain.
House was jammed again that night, and we sold this crowd the same way.
1884, Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - 12To act as if a fake hit or move really hurts.
- 13To let down your own team by playing badly or giving up.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
From Old English sellan, meaning to give or give up for money.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Sell derives from Old English sellan. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English sellan meant to give or give up for money. en.wiktionary.org
From French selle, from Latin sella.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- English sell, meaning a seat or saddle, comes from French selle. en.wiktionary.org
- French selle comes from Latin sella. fr.wiktionary.org
From Old Saxon sēl or Old Norse seil, related to words for "rope."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The Old Saxon cognate is sēl (also written sêl), not seill. en.wikisource.org
- The etymological family includes words meaning rope. en.wikisource.org