Sell (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used with object), sold, sell·ing.
  1. to transfer (goods) to or render (services) for another in exchange for money; dispose of to a purchaser for a price: He sold the car to me for $1000.
  2. to deal in; keep or offer for sale: He sells insurance. This store sells my favorite brand.
  3. to make a sale or offer for sale to: He'll sell me the car for $1000.
  4. to persuade or induce (someone) to buy something: The salesman sold me on a more expensive model than I wanted.
  5. to persuade or induce someone to buy (something): The clerk really sold the shoes to me by flattery.
  6. to make sales of: The hot record sold a million copies this month.
  7. to cause to be accepted, especially generally or widely: to sell an idea to the public.
  8. to cause or persuade to accept; convince: to sell the voters on a candidate.
  9. to accept a price for or make a profit of (something not a proper object for such action): to sell one's soul for political power.
  10. to force or exact a price for: The defenders of the fort sold their lives dearly.
  11. to cheat, betray, or hoax.
verb (used without object), sold, sell·ing.
  1. to engage in selling something: Investment advisors agree that it’s time to sell.
  2. to be sold; to draw sales: His album is selling well.The game sold poorly in Japan.
  3. to offer something for sale: I like this house—will they sell?
  4. to be employed to persuade or induce others to buy, as a salesperson or a clerk in a store: One sister is a cashier and the other sells.
  5. to have a specific price; be offered for sale at the price indicated (followed by at or for): Eggs used to sell at sixty cents a dozen. This shirt sells for thirty dollars.
  6. to be in demand by buyers: On a rainy day, umbrellas really sell.
  7. to win acceptance, approval, or adoption: Here's an idea that'll sell.
noun
  1. an act or method of selling: Your home could be a profitable sell.
  2. a security to be sold.
  3. a cheat; hoax.
Verb Phrases
  1. to sell, especially at reduced prices, in order to get rid of: The city is selling off a large number of small lots at public auction.
  2. sell out,
    • to dispose of entirely by selling: They sold out of Johnny's brownies before the bake sale was half over.
    • to betray (an associate, one's country, one’s principles, a cause, etc.): He would never sell out to the enemy.
  3. to sell out: She was forced to sell up her entire stock of crystal.
Idioms
  1. bill of goods (def. 3).
  2. short (def. 50).
noun, adjective, pronoun Scot.
  1. self.
verb sells, selling or sold
  1. to dispose of or transfer or be disposed of or transferred to a purchaser in exchange for money or other consideration; put or be on sale
  2. to deal in (objects, property, etc)
  3. to give up or surrender for a price or reward
  4. to promote or facilitate the sale of (objects, property, etc)
  5. to induce or gain acceptance of
  6. to be in demand on the market
  7. to deceive or cheat
  8. to persuade to accept or approve (of)
  9. to betray
  10. sell oneself
    • to convince someone else of one's potential or worth
    • to give up one's moral or spiritual standards, etc
  11. sell short
    • to disparage or belittle
    • to sell securities or goods without owning them in anticipation of buying them before delivery at a lower price
noun
  1. the act or an instance of selling
  2. informal
    • a trick, hoax, or deception
    • a great disappointment
Sell (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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