furnish
FUR-nihsh
Furnish (verb) means to equip a room or building with furniture. Example: “They furnished the new apartment with second-hand pieces from the market.”
verb
1
To equip a room or building with furniture.
"They furnished the new apartment with second-hand pieces from the market."
2
To supply or provide something needed.
"The witness was asked to furnish evidence supporting her claim."
"The hotel furnishes guests with fresh towels daily."
How to use furnish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo provide furniture for a space, or more broadly to supply something that is needed.
When to use it
The "supply/provide" sense is fairly formal, common in legal or official writing.
Common pairings
furnish a room
furnish details
fully furnished
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Word forms
- Plural
- furnishes
- Third person singular
- furnishes
- Past tense
- furnished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ the new apartment with second-hand pieces from the market.
Etymology
From Old French furnir/fornir, from a Frankish root meaning "to complete" or "to further/promote."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “furnish” mean?
The word “furnish” means to equip a room or building with furniture. In plain terms, to provide furniture for a space, or more broadly to supply something that is needed.
How do you pronounce “furnish”?
“Furnish” is pronounced FUR-nihsh (/ˈfɝnɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “furnish” in a sentence?
Here is “furnish” used in a sentence: “They furnished the new apartment with second-hand pieces from the market.”
What part of speech is “furnish”?
“Furnish” is a verb.
Where does the word “furnish” come from?
The word “furnish” comes from Old French. From Old French furnir/fornir, from a Frankish root meaning "to complete" or "to further/promote.".
Is “furnish” a common word?
“Furnish” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “furnish” have?
“Furnish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to equip a room or building with furniture.
