sale
sale
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "sale" is /seɪl/.
/seɪl/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: sale
Plural Noun: sales
Verb (related concept, but not a direct word form variation of "sale" itself): sell (present), selling (present participle), sold (past tense/past participle)
Adjective (related concept): salable/saleable
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An exchange of goods or services for money; the act of selling something.
Synonyms: transaction, deal, commerce, vending
Antonyms: purchase, acquisition, buy (noun)
Definition 2: A period during which a shop or business offers its goods at reduced prices.
Synonyms: discount, clearance, markdown, promotion
Antonyms: full price, regular price
Definition 3: The total amount of goods or services sold by a business over a specific period.
Synonyms: revenue, turnover, proceeds, receipts
Antonyms: expenses, costs, outgoings
Examples of Use
Books: "The general store, once the hub of activity, was now almost always empty, its once bustling sale counters silent."
Newspapers: "Major retailers are gearing up for their annual summer sale, offering significant discounts on electronics and apparel." ( The Daily Herald)
Online Publications: "Industry analysts predict a sharp increase in online car sales in the coming quarter, driven by new electric vehicle models." ( TechCrunch)
Entertainment Mediums (Film): In the film "The Big Short," characters discuss the sale of mortgage-backed securities, highlighting the complex financial transactions.
Entertainment Platforms (E-commerce/Gaming): Many online video game stores announce "flash sales" on popular titles, encouraging impulse purchases.
General Public Discourse: "I managed to snag a fantastic pair of shoes during the end-of-season sale last week."
General Public Discourse: "The real estate market is slowing down, leading to fewer home sales this month."
10 Quotes Using Sale
"You don't close a sale; you open a relationship if you want to build a long-term, successful enterprise." (Patricia Fripp)
"Nothing happens until a sale is made." (Unknown, often attributed to Arthur "Red" Motley)
"Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman—not the attitude of the prospect." (W. Clement Stone)
"Make a customer, not a sale." (Katherine Barchetti)
"If I sell an article and make all the profit, I am not a salesman – I am a robber." (James Samuel Knox, 1921)
"Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success." (Thomas Edison)
"The sale will make you a living; the skill will make you a fortune." (Jim Rohn)
"If the truth won't sell it, don't sell it." (W.C. Holman, 1912)
"Your job is not to sell, your job is to find buyers." (Mark Hunter)
"If you don't believe in what you're selling, neither will your prospect." (Frank Bettger)
Etymology
The word "sale" has a long history, going back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD). It's believed to have come into English from a Scandinavian language, like the Old Norse word "sala," which also meant "sale" or "act of selling."
The very first meaning of "sale" was essentially "the act of selling" or "the disposal of goods for a price." So, from its earliest known use, it meant pretty much what we understand it to mean today: exchanging something for money.
Over time, other meanings developed. For instance, the idea of a "public auction" came about in the 1670s. And the common meaning of "a selling of shop goods at lower prices than usual" – what we think of as a "sale" at a store – became popular around 1866.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sale
For sale: Available to be bought.
On sale: Available at a reduced price.
Point of sale: The place where a retail transaction is completed.
Bill of sale: A document transferring ownership of goods.
Fire sale: A sale of goods at extremely low prices, often because the seller is in urgent need of money or going out of business.
Yard sale/Garage sale: A sale of used household items, typically held in a yard or garage.
Clearance sale: A sale to get rid of old stock.
After-sale service: Support provided to a customer after they have purchased a product or service.
Close the sale: To complete a business transaction.
No sale!: An exclamation indicating refusal or rejection of an offer.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sale from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
