verb

provide

pruh-VYD

verb

To supply someone with something they need or want.

"The charity provides meals for the homeless."

"The hotel provides free Wi-Fi to guests."

To make a stipulation or condition in advance.

"The contract provides that either party may cancel with 30 days' notice."

How to Use Provide

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo give someone what they need, or to set out a condition in a formal agreement.

Common pairings

provide for provide with as provided by law

Word Forms

provided past tense, provide plural, provided plural, provides singular, provide singular, provided singular, providest singular, providedst singular, provideth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The charity _____ meals for the homeless.

Etymology

From Latin prōvidēre, "to foresee, act with foresight" — the same root that gives us "provident" and "providence."

Rhymes for provide

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide FIDE abide slide bride

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