sale
Pronounced:
/ˈseɪl/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural salesMeaning:
1 a [count] : the act of selling something : the exchange of goods, services, or property for money ▪ They profited from the sale of the house. ▪ the company's online/Internet sales ▪ Salespeople are paid a commission whenever they make a sale. [=sell something] b sales [plural] : the total amount of money that a business receives from selling goods or services ▪ Sales are up by $6,000 this month. ▪ the company's annual sales ▪ The company made over one million dollars in sales this quarter. ▪ an increase/decrease in sales ▪ disappointing sales figures [=numbers that show how much money was made from sales]
2 [count] : an event or occasion during which a business sells goods or services at prices that are lower than usual ▪ The store is having/holding a spring sale. ▪ Everything in the store will be 15 percent off during the sale. ▪ There is a sale on flights between New York and Paris. ▪ (Brit) I bought these shoes in the sales. [=at a time when many stores have a sale] —see also clearance sale
3 sales [plural] : the business or activity of selling goods or services ▪ He has a job in sales. ▪ The department is in charge of sales and marketing. —often used before another noun ▪ the sales department/manager ▪ a new sales campaign
4 [count] : a public event at which things are sold ▪ They're having/holding a sale of fine antiques next week. —see also garage sale, rummage sale, tag sale, yard sale
2 [count] : an event or occasion during which a business sells goods or services at prices that are lower than usual ▪ The store is having/holding a spring sale. ▪ Everything in the store will be 15 percent off during the sale. ▪ There is a sale on flights between New York and Paris. ▪ (Brit) I bought these shoes in the sales. [=at a time when many stores have a sale] —see also clearance sale
3 sales [plural] : the business or activity of selling goods or services ▪ He has a job in sales. ▪ The department is in charge of sales and marketing. —often used before another noun ▪ the sales department/manager ▪ a new sales campaign
4 [count] : a public event at which things are sold ▪ They're having/holding a sale of fine antiques next week. —see also garage sale, rummage sale, tag sale, yard sale
for sale
: available to be bought ▪ That painting is not for sale. ▪ The restaurant is (up) for sale. ▪ houses for sale
on sale
1 : available to be bought ▪ These shoes are on sale at most department stores. ▪ Tickets go on sale [=become available to be bought] next week.
2 chiefly US : selling at a price that is lower than usual ▪ I bought a shirt on sale for $5. ▪ All computers will go on sale [=will be sold for a reduced price] later this month.
2 chiefly US : selling at a price that is lower than usual ▪ I bought a shirt on sale for $5. ▪ All computers will go on sale [=will be sold for a reduced price] later this month.
on sale or return
Brit business : with the agreement that products which are not sold will be taken back without having to be paid for ▪ The bookstore operates on sale or return. [=books in the store can be returned to the book supplier if the store does not sell them]