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Meaning & use

private sale

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌpraɪvət ˈseɪl/
US/ˌpraɪvət ˈseɪl/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A sale in which an owner sells directly to a buyer, without an auction, dealer or open advertisement to the public.

    Grammar: Often used with by or in: sold by private sale; a private sale of the painting.

    Patterns

    • by private sale
    • a private sale of something

    The family sold the farm by private sale rather than putting it up for auction.

    A private sale between neighbors avoided the estate agent's fee.

    The violin was bought in a private sale for far less than the shop's price.

  2. nouncountablebusiness

    A sale event with discounted goods open only to selected customers, such as members or people invited by email.

    Grammar: Often a promotional event: the store's private sale begins on Friday.

    Patterns

    • a private sale for someone

    Members get early access to the private sale before the public discount starts.

    I received an invitation to a private sale at my favorite boutique.

    The brand ran a private sale for loyal customers only.

Word forms

pluralprivate sales

Common combinations

by private sale
The house was offered by private sale.
negotiate a private sale
They negotiated a private sale without a broker.
private sale price
The private sale price was well below market value.
exclusive private sale
Customers on the mailing list got an exclusive private sale.
private sale of shares
The founder agreed to a private sale of shares to investors.

Synonyms and how they differ

direct sale
It stresses having no middleman, whereas private sale stresses the lack of public bidding.
off-market sale
It is common for property and means the item was never publicly listed, while private sale can still be advertised to a few people.
preview sale
This fits the shop sense only, and suggests an early look at items before they go on general sale.

Opposites

public auctionpublic sale

Word family

private adjective
not open to the public
privately adverb
in a private manner: sold privately
sell verb
to exchange for money
seller noun
the person selling

Commonly confused: private sale or private placement?

private sale vs private placement

A private placement is offering shares to chosen investors, which is a particular financial form of private sale.

Practice

Instead of auctioning the antique desk, Helen arranged a ___ with a collector she knew.

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