Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

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sell, sells, selling, sold

Synonyms: vend, market, trade, retail, peddle

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Antonyms: buy, purchase, acquire, obtain, procure

The Verb Sell – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb sell is a common irregular verb whose core meaning is to exchange a product, service, or property for money. Figuratively, it can also mean to convince or persuade someone of an idea.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: sell
■ Past Simple: sold
■ Past Participle: sold
■ Present Participle/Gerund: selling


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Sell' is a fundamental verb of commerce and persuasion.


1. Exchanging for Money
This is its primary, literal meaning.


■ Commerce: 'He decided to sell his house and move to the countryside.'
■ Retail: 'What kind of products does this store sell?'


2. Being Available for Purchase
The verb can be used with the product as the subject to describe its sales performance.


■ Performance: 'The new album is selling really well.'


3. Persuading Someone (Figurative)
This refers to convincing someone that an idea is good.


■ Ideas: 'I'm not sold on that idea yet; I have some doubts.'
■ Persuasion: 'The director tried to sell the board on his new vision for the company.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: OPPOSITES AND PHRASAL VERBS


■ The Opposite is 'Buy': The direct antonym of 'sell' is 'buy.' One person sells, the other person buys.


■ Sell out: This phrasal verb has two meanings.
 1. To sell all of the available stock. ('The concert tickets sold out in less than an hour.')
 2. To abandon one's principles for money or commercial success. ('Many fans felt the band sold out when their music became more commercial.')