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noun Common

provider

pruh-VEYE-duh

Provider (noun) means a person or organization that supplies a service, product, or income. Example: “She switched to a cheaper internet provider.”

noun
1
A person or organization that supplies a service, product, or income.
"She switched to a cheaper internet provider."
"He became the family's main provider after his father passed."

How to Use Provider

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone or something that supplies what's needed — a company offering a service, or a person supporting a family financially.

Common pairings
service provider healthcare provider sole provider

Word Forms

providers plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She switched to a cheaper internet _____.

Etymology

From provide plus the agent suffix -er.

Related Words

Rhymes for provider

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “provider” mean?

The word “provider” means a person or organization that supplies a service, product, or income. In plain terms, someone or something that supplies what's needed — a company offering a service, or a person supporting a family financially.

How do you pronounce “provider”?

“Provider” is pronounced pruh-VEYE-duh (/pɹəˈvaɪ.dɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “provider” in a sentence?

Here is “provider” used in a sentence: “She switched to a cheaper internet provider.”

What part of speech is “provider”?

“Provider” is a noun.

Is “provider” a common word?

“Provider” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between a provider and a supplier?

The two overlap heavily, but supplier usually stresses the delivery of physical goods, while provider is more often used for services, such as an internet provider or healthcare provider. A provider can also mean someone who supplies income or support to others.

What is the difference between a provider and a breadwinner?

A breadwinner specifically earns the money that supports a household. A provider is broader: it can mean the person who supplies a family's income and support, but it also covers any person or organisation that supplies a service or product.

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