Definition

1. Noun:
   • The exchange of a commodity for money; the act of selling: A transaction where ownership of goods or property is transferred from a seller to a buyer in return for payment.
   • An event or period during which goods are sold at reduced prices: A special offering of goods, often for a limited time, at prices lower than usual.
   • The activity or business of selling items: The general process or volume of selling goods or services.
   • A completed transaction: A particular instance of selling something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The sale of the house was finalized last week.
  • This shirt is on sale for 50% off.
  • Car sales have increased this quarter.
  • He celebrated his first major sale as a new agent.

Advanced Usage

• "For sale": Available to be bought.
  • The sign on the car says "for sale".
• "On sale":
  • Available for purchase.

    • The new model is on sale now.
  • Offered at a reduced price.

    • I bought these shoes because they were on sale.
• "Clearance sale": A sale to clear out old inventory.
  • The store is having a clearance sale before renovation.

Variants and Related Words

• Sales (plural noun): The total number of items sold or the department responsible for selling.
  • She works in sales.
• Salesperson / Salesman / Saleswoman (noun): A person whose job is to sell goods or services.
• Salable (adjective): Fit or able to be sold.
  • The product is highly salable.

Synonyms

• Transaction: An instance of buying or selling.
• Deal: An agreement entered into by two or more parties for their mutual benefit, especially in business.
• Clearance: The process of selling goods at reduced prices to dispose of them.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Sale" is primarily a noun. Common phrasal verbs are formed with the verb "sell," not directly with "sale.") - Sell out: To sell all of a particular item. - The concert tickets sold out in minutes.

Related Idioms

• A sale of work: An event where handmade goods are sold to raise money for charity.
  • The church is organizing a sale of work next Saturday.
• To make a sale: To successfully complete a transaction.
  • The key is to listen to the customer's needs to make a sale.

Noun

1. an agreement (or contract) in which property is transferred from the seller (vendor) to the buyer (vendee) for a fixed price in money (paid or agreed to be paid by the buyer)
   • the salesman faxed the sales agreement to his home office
2. the state of being purchasable; offered or exhibited for selling
   • you'll find vitamin C for sale at most pharmacies
   • the new line of cars will soon be on sale
3. an occasion (usually brief) for buying at specially reduced prices
   • they held a sale to reduce their inventory
   • I got some great bargains at their annual sale
4. the general activity of selling
   • they tried to boost sales
   • laws limit the sale of handguns
5. a particular instance of selling
   • he has just made his first sale
   • they had to complete the sale before the banks closed