wash sale

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noun

a sale of a stock at a loss and repurchase of the same or substantially identical stock within 30 days, for which the capital loss is disallowed for tax purposes.

the simultaneous purchase and sale of large amounts of a stock or commodity by the same speculator so as to give a false appearance of wide market activity and interest in the stock or commodity.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of wash sale

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Words nearby wash sale

wash one's hands of, washout, wash over, washrag, washroom, wash sale, washstand, washtub, washup, washwoman, washy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wash sale in a sentence

Tickets go on sale to the public January 15; check back then for a link and an early peek at the inspiring lineup of speakers.
Save the Date: Women in the World 2015||December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In October, news broke that Regal hired Morgan Stanley to explore a possible sale.
The Right-Wing Billionaire Who Bowed to North Korea over ‘The Interview’|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dee Dee candles, rosaries, shirts and prints are offered for sale near the gallery's door as a kind of consolation.
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings|Melissa Leon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A limited edition export stout known as the Indra Kunindra came to wash it down.
Dinner at Nitehawk Cinema: ‘Christmas Vacation’ and a Beer in a Pear Tree|Rich Goldstein|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Its first sale was a Dan Colen work, which sold for “something like $120,000 or $150,000.”
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He stood before the glass hung above the wash bench and 369 smoothed his hair.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
Why, he ordered his chamber-maid to bring him some soap and warm water, that he might wash the sour krout off his hands.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
He conceived an idea of securing agents among the colored people, and in that way effect a good sale.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Fruit-trees are clearly too scarce, though Cherries in abundance were offered for sale as we passed.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
He continued its sale, however, as a kingly monopoly, allowing only those to engage in it who paid him for the privilege.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for wash sale

wash sale

noun

US the illegal stock-exchange practice of buying and selling the same securities at an inflated price through a colluding broker to give the impression that the security has a strong market

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