wholesale

American  

[hohl-seyl] / ˈhoʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the sale of goods in quantity, as to retailers or jobbers, for resale (opposed to 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; see whole, sale

Explanation

Use the adjective wholesale to describe something that's done on a big, broad scale, like wholesale changes made by a new government that affect an entire country. It's pretty common to see the phrase "wholesale destruction," especially when historians are talking about the overwhelming effects of war or ecological disasters. When wholesale is a verb, it has a very different meaning — to sell things in bulk, usually to someone who is going to sell it again at a higher retail price. The earliest meaning of the word was "in large quantities," combining whole and sale into the phrase "by whole sale."

Example Sentences

Investors started worrying about higher borrowing costs after consumer and wholesale price inflation data last week came in hotter-than-expected, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz drives up fuel costs.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

“Based on the growing global demand we’re seeing for Hoka, we plan to continue selectively expanding wholesale distribution in both the U.S. and international regions,” Caroti said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

A measure of wholesale prices for electronic components, for example, has jumped a record 28% in the 12 months ended in April.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Earlier this year, NV Energy informed Liberty that it would no longer serve as its wholesale energy provider after mid-May next year, and urged Liberty to make haste to secure an alternate supplier.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

They rang for higher wages, they rang for better food, they rang for open revolt, for patriotism, for common sense, and for a wholesale return to Japan.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Related Words

• extensive
• indiscriminate
• large-scale
• sweeping