wholesale

[hohl-seyl]

noun

1. the sale of goods in quantity, as to retailers or jobbers, for resale (retail ).

adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in sale by wholesale.

2. extensive; broadly indiscriminate.

   wholesale discharge of workers.

   Synonyms: promiscuous, undiscriminating, inclusive, thorough, comprehensive, far-reaching

adverb

1. in a wholesale way; on wholesale terms.

   I can get it for you wholesale.

2. in large quantities; on a large scale, especially without discrimination.

   Wild horses were slaughtered wholesale.

verb (used with or without object)

wholesaled, wholesaling 

1. to sell by wholesale.

wholesale

/ ˈhəʊlˌseɪl /

noun

1. the business of selling goods to retailers in larger quantities than they are sold to final consumers but in smaller quantities than they are purchased from manufacturers Compare retail

2. 1. in large quantities

   2. at wholesale prices

adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in such business

2. made, done, etc, on a large scale or without discrimination

adverb

1. on a large scale or without discrimination

verb

1. to sell (goods) at wholesale

wholesale

1. The sale of merchandise to retailers rather than directly to the public.

Other Word Forms

• wholesaler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wholesale¹

1375–1425; late Middle English, from the phrase by hole sale in gross; whole, sale

Example Sentences

He said even though wholesale energy prices have stabilised, they remain higher than previous years.

From BBC

“I’m not going to just turn this whole thing over like we’re done,” Foster said of making wholesale changes in his lineup.

From Los Angeles Times

Shupe attributed the increases to unplanned refinery maintenance that spiked wholesale prices last weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

Given England played two different teams across this year's Women's Six Nations and still won a fourth consecutive Grand Slam, they are likely to record a big scoreline despite the wholesale changes.

From BBC

Ofgem changes the price cap for households every three months, largely based on the cost of energy on wholesale markets.

From BBC

Related Words

• extensive 
• indiscriminate 
• large-scale 
• sweeping