wholesale

American  

[hohl-seyl] / ˈhoʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the sale of goods in quantity, as to retailers or jobbers, for resale (retail ).

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in sale by wholesale.

2. extensive; broadly indiscriminate.

   wholesale discharge of workers.

   Synonyms:

   promiscuous, undiscriminating, inclusive, thorough, comprehensive, far-reaching

adverb

1. in a wholesale way; on wholesale terms.

   I can get it for you wholesale.

2. in large quantities; on a large scale, especially without discrimination.

   Wild horses were slaughtered wholesale.

verb (used with or without object)

wholesaled, wholesaling

1. to sell by wholesale.

wholesale British  

/ ˈhəʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the business of selling goods to retailers in larger quantities than they are sold to final consumers but in smaller quantities than they are purchased from manufacturers Compare retail

2. 1. in large quantities

   2. at wholesale prices

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in such business

2. made, done, etc, on a large scale or without discrimination

adverb

1. on a large scale or without discrimination

verb

1. to sell (goods) at wholesale

wholesale Cultural  

1. The sale of merchandise to retailers rather than directly to the public.

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Other Word Forms

• wholesaler noun

Etymology

Origin of wholesale

1375–1425; late Middle English, from the phrase by hole sale in gross; whole, sale

Example Sentences

However, what happens now and until late May on the wholesale energy market will determine these household bills from the summer.

From BBC

In the village of Alne, near York, Bob Hayes runs a cooperative which makes group purchases of heating oil at wholesale price, which helps keep costs lower due to bulk buying and fewer deliveries.

From BBC

Energy UK, which represents suppliers, said uncertainty in the wholesale fuel market has made it difficult for firms to offer a fixed price for a year or longer.

From BBC

During the global energy crisis, it said it absorbed about £40m of exceptional wholesale costs rather than passing them directly through to bills.

From BBC

They dismiss the idea that AI will displace software wholesale, noting that major AI companies are focused on revenue generation and enterprise software is deeply embedded in businesses’ existing tech stacks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• extensive
• indiscriminate
• large-scale
• sweeping