Definition of 'sell'

Word Frequency

sell

(sɛl )

Word forms: sells, selling, sold

1. transitive verb/intransitive verb

If you sell something that you own, you let someone have it in return for money.

Catlin sold the paintings to Philadelphia industrialist Joseph Harrison.

The directors sold the business for $14.8 million.

When is the best time to sell?

Synonyms: trade, dispose of, offer for sale, exchange More Synonyms of sell

2. transitive verb

If a store sells a particular thing, it is available for people to buy there.

It sells everything from hair ribbons to oriental rugs.

Synonyms: deal in, market, trade in, carry More Synonyms of sell

3. intransitive verb

If something sells for a particular price, that price is paid for it.

Unmodernized property can sell for up to 40 percent of its modernized market value.

Synonyms: be priced at, cost, go for, sell at More Synonyms of sell

4. intransitive verb

If something sells, it is bought by the public, usually in fairly large quantities.

Even if this album doesn't sell and the critics don't like it, we wouldn't ever change.

Synonyms: be bought, go, move, be purchased More Synonyms of sell

5. transitive verb/intransitive verb

Something that sells a product makes people want to buy the product.

It is only the sensational that sells news magazines.

...the maxim that safety doesn't sell.

6. transitive verb

If you sell someone an idea or proposal, or sell someone on an idea, you convince them that it is a good one.

She tried to sell me the idea of buying my own paper shredder.

She is hoping she can sell the idea to clients.

Synonyms: promote, get across, put across, win approval for More Synonyms of sell

See sell one's body

See sell one's soul

Phrasal verbs:

See sell off

See sell on

See sell out

Video: pronunciation of
sell

sell in American English

(sɛl )

verb transitiveWord forms: sold or ˈselling

to give up, deliver, or exchange (property, goods, services, etc.) for money or its equivalent

to have or offer regularly for sale; deal in

a store that sells hardware, to sell real estate

to make or try to make sales in or to

to sell chain stores

to give up or deliver (a person) to his or her enemies or into slavery, bondage, etc.

to be a traitor to; betray (a country, cause, etc.)

to give up or dispose of (one's honor, one's vote, etc.) for profit or a dishonorable purpose

to bring about, help in, or promote, the sale of

television sells many products

6. US, Informal

to establish faith, confidence, or belief in

to sell oneself to the public

to persuade (someone) of the value of something; convince

with on

sell him on the idea

7. Slang

to cheat or dupe

verb intransitive

to exchange property, goods, or services for money, etc.

to work or act as a salesman or salesclerk

10.

to be sold; attract buyers: often used with reference to the rate of sale

to sell well, poorly, etc.

11.

to be sold (for or at)

belts selling for six dollars

12. Informal

to be accepted, approved, etc.

a scheme that won't sell

noun

13. Slang

a trick or hoax

14. US

selling or salesmanship

sell in British English

(sɛl )

verbWord forms: sells, selling or sold

to dispose of or transfer or be disposed of or transferred to a purchaser in exchange for money or other consideration; put or be on sale

to deal in ( objects, property, etc)

he sells used cars for a living

3. (transitive)

to give up or surrender for a price or reward

to sell one's honour

to promote or facilitate the sale of (objects, property, etc)

publicity sells many products

to induce or gain acceptance of

to sell an idea

6. (intransitive)

to be in demand on the market

these dresses sell well in the spring

7. (transitive) informal

to deceive or cheat

8. (transitive; foll by on)

to persuade to accept or approve (of)

to sell a buyer on a purchase

9. See sell down the river

10. See sell oneself

11. See sell short

noun

12.

the act or an instance of selling

Compare hard sell, soft sell

13. informal

a trick, hoax, or deception

b. Irish

a great disappointment

the service in the hotel was a sell

Derived forms

sellable (ˈsellable)

adjective

Word origin

Old English sellan to lend, deliver; related to Old Norse selja to sell, Gothic saljan to offer sacrifice, Old High German sellen to sell, Latin cōnsilium advice

Examples of 'sell' in a sentence
sell

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

We could make a third over what we paid for it right now if we sold.One of the three completed villas has already sold.They will help people to manage their electronic lives rather than just sell them products.The online store also sells swimming pools.We buy getting on for a million more cars than we sell. Better volumes and higher selling prices in particular bode well for the second half of the year.His ability to sell a good idea remains undimmed.If your arrears are mounting and negotiation has failed you may have to sell your property.The group includes all goods sold by retailers that predominantly sell food.Nor at this stage either does he mention the buying and selling of blood for medical purposes.