sell

[ sel ]

/ sɛl /

verb (used with object), sold, sell·ing.

to transfer (goods) to or render (services) for another in exchange for money; dispose of to a purchaser for a price: He sold the car to me for $1000.

to deal in; keep or offer for sale: He sells insurance. This store sells my favorite brand.

to make a sale or offer for sale to: He'll sell me the car for $1000.

to persuade or induce (someone) to buy something: The salesman sold me on a more expensive model than I wanted.

to persuade or induce someone to buy (something): The clerk really sold the shoes to me by flattery.

to make sales of: The hot record sold a million copies this month.

to cause to be accepted, especially generally or widely: to sell an idea to the public.

to cause or persuade to accept; convince: to sell the voters on a candidate.

to accept a price for or make a profit of (something not a proper object for such action): to sell one's soul for political power.

to force or exact a price for: The defenders of the fort sold their lives dearly.

Informal. to cheat, betray, or hoax.

verb (used without object), sold, sell·ing.

to engage in selling something: Investment advisors agree that it’s time to sell.

to be sold; to draw sales: His album is selling well.The game sold poorly in Japan.

to offer something for sale: I like this house—will they sell?

to be employed to persuade or induce others to buy, as a salesperson or a clerk in a store: One sister is a cashier and the other sells.

to have a specific price; be offered for sale at the price indicated (followed by at or for): Eggs used to sell at sixty cents a dozen. This shirt sells for thirty dollars.

to be in demand by buyers: On a rainy day, umbrellas really sell.

to win acceptance, approval, or adoption: Here's an idea that'll sell.

noun

an act or method of selling: Your home could be a profitable sell.

Stock Exchange. a security to be sold.

Informal. a cheat; hoax.

Verb Phrases

sell off, to sell, especially at reduced prices, in order to get rid of: The city is selling off a large number of small lots at public auction.

sell out,

to dispose of entirely by selling: They sold out of Johnny's brownies before the bake sale was half over.
to betray (an associate, one's country, one’s principles, a cause, etc.): He would never sell out to the enemy.

sell up, British. to sell out: She was forced to sell up her entire stock of crystal.

QUIZZES

THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ IS HARDLY A DODDLE!

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Question 1 of 7

What does “Promethean” mean?

endless and unavailing, as labor or a task.

creative; boldly original.

prying; meddlesome.

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Idioms for sell

sell someone a bill of goods, Informal. bill of goods (def. 3).

sell short. short (def. 49).

Origin of sell

First recorded before 900; Middle English sellen, Old English sellan, originally, “to give,” hence, “to give up (someone) to an enemy, betray, exchange for money”; cognate with Old Norse selja, Low German sellen, Gothic saljan “to give up, sell,” originally, “to cause to take”; akin to Greek heleîn “to take, grasp”

SYNONYMS FOR sell

1 exchange, vend.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR sell ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR sell

1 buy.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR sell ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for sell

1. See trade.

OTHER WORDS FROM sell

sell·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby sell

selkie, Selkirk, Selkirk Mountains, Selkirk Rex, Selkirkshire, sell, Sella, sell a bill of goods, Sellafield, sellar, sella turcica

Definition for sell (2 of 2)

sell²

[ sel ]

/ sɛl /

noun, adjective, pronoun Scot.

self.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for sell

The Dallas Cowboys sell out their state-of-the art football stadium.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As more people come online, the most basic tasks—such as going out to the market to sell produce—will become more efficient.
Silicon Valley Sets Its Sights on Africa|Christian Borys|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Along the Prado they used to sell slaves on the auction block, too.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Question 9: If the female captive was impregnated by her owner, can he then sell her?
ISIS Jihadis Get ‘Slavery for Dummies’|Jamie Dettmer|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We sell about $5,000 of music per month through iTunes and Loudr.
How Much Money Does a Band Really Make on Tour?|Jack Conte|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When I sell a ticket to Shoshone, I'm the ticket agent, and nothing else.
Good Indian|B. M. Bower
The chiefs fought fiercely, like men who know that their fate is sealed, and are determined to sell their lives dearly.
Mark Seaworth|William H.G. Kingston
If you think it necessary, let me know when you sell; but, however, do as you please.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon
They could hardly get their lumber out, and there are very few people to sell it to if they put up a mill.
A Damaged Reputation|Harold Bindloss
He did this because he wanted to sell some property that he could not sell if Jemmy were alive.
Stories of American Life and Adventure|Edward Eggleston

British Dictionary definitions for sell

sell

/ (sɛl) /

verb 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

(tr) to give up or surrender for a price or rewardto sell one's honour

to promote or facilitate the sale of (objects, property, etc)publicity sells many products

to induce or gain acceptance ofto sell an idea

(intr) to be in demand on the marketthese dresses sell well in the spring

(tr) informal to deceive or cheat

(tr foll by on) to persuade to accept or approve (of)to sell a buyer on a purchase

sell down the river informal to betray

sell oneself

to convince someone else of one's potential or worth
to give up one's moral or spiritual standards, etc

sell short

informal to disparage or belittle
finance to sell securities or goods without owning them in anticipation of buying them before delivery at a lower price

noun

the act or an instance of sellingCompare hard sell, soft sell

informal

a trick, hoax, or deception
Irish a great disappointmentthe service in the hotel was a sell

See also sell in, sell off, sell out, sell up

Derived forms of sell

sellable, adjective

Word Origin for sell

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with sell

sell

In addition to the idioms beginning with sell

sell a bill of goods
sell down the river
sell like hot cakes
sell off
sell oneself
sell out
sell short
sell someone on

also see:

hard sell
like hot cakes, sell

MEANINGS

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WORD OF THE DAY

sell

verb (used with object), sold, sell·ing.

verb (used without object), sold, sell·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

QUIZZES

THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ IS HARDLY A DODDLE!

Idioms for sell

Origin of sell

SYNONYMS FOR sell

ANTONYMS FOR sell

synonym study for sell

OTHER WORDS FROM sell

Words nearby sell

Definition for sell (2 of 2)

noun, adjective, pronoun Scot.

Example sentences from the Web for sell

British Dictionary definitions for sell

verb sells, selling or sold

noun

Derived forms of sell

Word Origin for sell

Idioms and Phrases with sell

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

sell

verb (used with object), sold, sell·ing.

verb (used without object), sold, sell·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

QUIZZES

THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ IS HARDLY A DODDLE!

Idioms for sell

Origin of sell

SYNONYMS FOR sell

ANTONYMS FOR sell

synonym study for sell

OTHER WORDS FROM sell

Words nearby sell

Definition for sell (2 of 2)

noun, adjective, pronoun Scot.

Words related to sell

Example sentences from the Web for sell

British Dictionary definitions for sell

verb sells, selling or sold

noun

Derived forms of sell

Word Origin for sell

Idioms and Phrases with sell