WordGarden.iowholesale
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈəʊlseɪl/
US
- /ˈhoʊlˌseɪl/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to goods sold in bulk to retailers or other businesses rather than directly to consumers
done on a sweeping, large-scale, or indiscriminate basis
Noun
the business of selling goods in bulk to retailers or other businesses
Adverb
at wholesale prices or in bulk for resale
on a sweeping scale or without much discrimination
Beyond the definition
You might buy a single apple at the grocery store, but a bakery buys apples wholesale—meaning it buys them in large amounts directly from a farmer or distributor. It is about buying and selling goods in bulk, often so they can be sold again by someone else. Think of Costco: it works on a wholesale model.
The term can also describe something complete or entire. A "wholesale rejection" means a total refusal. Originally, "wholesale" referred to merchants who sold to other merchants, not directly to the public. Now it is also used more broadly for large-scale buying and for complete change or refusal. If you get a wholesale price on something, you are paying less because you are buying a lot.
The word "wholesale" has two main meanings, both rooted in the idea of dealing with large quantities. Primarily, it refers to the sale of goods in bulk at a reduced price, typically to retailers who then resell those goods to consumers. For example: "The florist buys flowers wholesale from a local grower," or "We got a great deal on office supplies by purchasing them wholesale." This is how businesses keep their costs down and maximize profits.
However, "wholesale" isn't limited to just buying and selling. It can also mean complete, total, or entire. You might hear phrases like "a wholesale change in policy," meaning a radical and comprehensive shift, or "a wholesale dismissal of the evidence," indicating that all the evidence was ignored.
Historically, the term originated from merchants who sold goods to other merchants – they were selling "whole sales" rather than individual items to end consumers. This distinction is less common today, but it explains why "wholesale" implies a large-scale transaction and often a lower price per unit.
So whether you're talking about bulk purchases for business or complete transformations in policy, "wholesale" signifies something done on a grand scale – either in quantity or in scope.
Examples
- 1
Retail buying
Small shops often buy drinks wholesale and sell them individually.
- 2
Bulk price
If you order 200 units, we can give you a wholesale price.
- 3
Food supplier
She works for a wholesale food supplier that sells to cafes and hotels.
- 4
Major changes
After taking over the company, the new CEO made wholesale changes to the management team.
- Phrasewholesale changes
very large changes affecting many parts at once
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Education policy
The committee warned against the wholesale copying of another country's school system.
- Phrasewholesale copying
copying something completely, without changing it to fit the new situation
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- wholesaleverbadjectiveadverb
Forms
- wholesaling-ing formverbadjectiveadverb
- wholesalesverbadjectiveadverb
- wholesaledpast tenseverbadjectiveadverb