Meaning & use
wholesale prices
Last updated
UK/ˈhəʊlseɪl ˌpraɪsɪz/
US/ˈhoʊlseɪl ˌpraɪsɪz/
Meaning
nounplural
The prices at which goods are sold in large quantities to retailers, usually lower than retail prices.
Grammar: Always plural in this sense; the singular 'wholesale price' refers to one such price.
Patterns
- wholesale prices for something
- at wholesale prices
- buy at wholesale prices
The store buys its inventory at wholesale prices.
Wholesale prices for electronics have dropped this year.
Word forms
| singular | wholesale price |
|---|
Common combinations
- wholesale prices for
- We need to check the wholesale prices for these shoes.
- at wholesale prices
- Members can purchase at wholesale prices.
- wholesale prices rise/fall
- Wholesale prices fell last quarter.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trade prices
- Similar, but often used in British English for prices offered to businesses in the same trade.
- bulk prices
- Focuses on the large quantity rather than the business-to-business aspect.
Opposites
retail prices
Word family
- wholesale noun
- The business of selling goods in large quantities.
- wholesaler noun
- A person or company that sells goods wholesale.
Commonly confused: wholesale prices or retail prices?
wholesale prices vs retail prices
Retail prices are for individual consumers, usually higher than wholesale prices.
Practice
Small shops often buy their stock at ______ prices.
Choose one answer.
Wholesale prices are for bulk purchases by businesses. 'Retail' is the opposite, 'expensive' is an adjective, and 'whole sale' is a misspelling.
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