wholesale

[hohl-seyl]

noun

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

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

/ 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

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

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

Other Word Forms

• wholesaler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wholesale¹

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

Example Sentences

A government spokesperson said the chemicals industry was paying the fossil fuel penalty, with wholesale gas costs remaining 75% above their levels before Russia invaded Ukraine.

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However, fires like this typically spike wholesale spot prices, which are reflected at the pumps within a few days.

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Retail petrol prices have surged, while wholesale prices - the cost at which retailers buy from producers - have risen even faster, growing by 40% since January.

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Alex Stanley, from the National Union of Students, said the reintroduction of grants "has to be the beginning of wholesale change in our broken education system".

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That came as a surprise, although it is nowhere close to calling for "wholesale change" as the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has done.

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Related Words

• extensive 
• indiscriminate 
• large-scale 
• sweeping