sale
8 synonyms and 1 antonyms for sale, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of exchanging goods or services for money.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use sale
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old Norse sala, "sale," related to the verb "to sell."
Full origin of sale →Frequently asked questions
What does “sale” mean?
The word “sale” means the act of exchanging goods or services for money. In plain terms, selling something, or a temporary discount event where items are sold cheaper than usual.
How do you pronounce “sale”?
“Sale” is pronounced sehl (/seːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sale” in a sentence?
Here is “sale” used in a sentence: “The sale of the house went through last week.”
What is another word for “sale”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sale” include vend and vent.
What is the opposite of “sale”?
The opposite of “sale” — its antonyms — is purchase.
What part of speech is “sale”?
“Sale” is a noun.
Where does the word “sale” come from?
The word “sale” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse sala, "sale," related to the verb "to sell.".
Is “sale” a common word?
“Sale” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a sale and a discount?
A sale is the basic act of exchanging goods or services for money, so any purchase counts as one. Informally, 'a sale' also means a period when a shop cuts prices to attract buyers. A discount is the price reduction itself — the sale event offers discounts, but the two words are not identical.
What is the difference between sale and sell?
Sell is the verb — the action of giving something in exchange for money. Sale is the noun — the event or transaction that results. You sell a car, and the deal is called a sale. A common error is writing 'for sell'; the correct phrase is 'for sale'.
What are the types of sales?
In business, a sale can be retail, where a shop sells directly to a customer, or wholesale, where goods are sold in bulk to resellers. Sales can be one-time or recurring, cash or credit. In shops, 'a sale' can also mean a clearance, seasonal, or promotional event with reduced prices.