wholesale

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "wholesale" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when referring to the selling of goods or services in large quantities at a discounted price. For example: We are able to offer our products at a discounted price due to our wholesale suppliers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"New South Wales is the only state to flat-line in its performance score, due largely to the abandonment of wholesale reform promised by the long-awaited overhaul of the planning system," the report said.

The Guardian

Fitzpatrick said he was "somewhat confused by looking at the explanations for the price rises over the past three or four weeks because we do not see really the same impact, especially in wholesale commodity prices.

The Guardian - Business

"We buy all of our power and gas on the wholesale market and … the most expensive price we have paid for wholesale gas in the last four years was in May 2011, for the following winter – that was 74p a therm.

The Guardian - Business

So, while the EU needs reform, our relationship with it does not warrant wholesale dismantling".

The Guardian

"We will hold our prices as long as we can," he told the MPs, adding that his company faced the same pressures as the other firms, with rises in wholesale and network costs, as well as the social and environmental obligations.

The Guardian

Once you have done this, you can buy products at wholesale prices and sell them on at a profit.

The Guardian

Autonomy is vitiated by the wholesale invasion of secrecy and privacy.

The Guardian - Tech

"Revelations about rising profits and the growing gap between wholesale costs and household energy bills highlight why answers are needed," she said.

The Guardian - Business

Some of Britain's big six energy companies have seen their wholesale electricity costs fall over the last three years while still putting up prices for millions of households.

The Guardian - Business

He said there could be some redundancies but no wholesale job cuts at the airline.

The Guardian - Business

It would lead to practical changes, including the wholesale review of the Prevent strategy set up by Labour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing pricing strategies, clearly differentiate between "wholesale" prices (for bulk purchases) and retail prices (for individual consumers) to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "wholesale" to describe minor or insignificant changes. It implies a large-scale, sweeping transformation, so reserve it for situations that truly warrant such a description.

Linguistic Context

The word "wholesale" functions as a noun, adjective, adverb, and verb, depending on the context. As a noun, it refers to the sale of goods in bulk. As an adjective, it describes something related to "wholesale" trade. As an adverb, it indicates doing something indiscriminately. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wholesale" is versatile, functioning as a noun, adjective, adverb, and verb, primarily within business and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used to describe bulk sales, sweeping changes, or indiscriminate actions. Understanding its various applications, from "wholesale" prices to "wholesale" reform, is crucial for clear and precise communication. When seeking alternative phrasing, consider "bulk purchasing" or "large-scale distribution". Remember to reserve the term for situations genuinely involving large-scale actions to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

volume selling

Focuses on selling large quantities which is a key aspect of "wholesale".

bulk purchasing

Refers specifically to buying goods in large quantities, similar to the concept of "wholesale", but emphasizes the act of purchasing.

large-scale distribution

Focuses on the distribution aspect of "wholesale", highlighting the extent of the operation.

blanket coverage

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of "wholesale" when used as an adjective, indicating something that affects everything.

mass production

Highlights the production volume often associated with goods sold at "wholesale" prices.

extensive dissemination

Similar to "large-scale distribution", this emphasizes the wide reach of distributing goods "wholesale".

indiscriminate application

Mirrors the "wholesale" concept when it implies applying something broadly without specific selection.

comprehensive overhaul

Similar to "wholesale review", this indicates a complete and thorough revision.

general restructuring

Suggests a broad change across an organization or system, similar to a "wholesale change".

all-out effort

Conveys a complete and exhaustive effort, comparable to doing something on a "wholesale" scale.

FAQs

How is "wholesale" used in business?

In business, "wholesale" typically refers to selling goods in bulk to retailers, who then sell the products to individual consumers. It often involves different pricing and distribution strategies compared to retail sales.

What is the difference between "wholesale" and retail?

"Wholesale" involves selling goods in large quantities to businesses for resale, while retail is selling directly to individual consumers. Wholesale prices are generally lower than retail prices.

What are some synonyms for "wholesale" when referring to a large-scale change?

When "wholesale" describes a large-scale change, you can use alternatives like "comprehensive", "extensive", or "sweeping" depending on the specific context.

How do energy companies use the term "wholesale"?

Energy companies often refer to "wholesale" energy prices, which are the prices they pay for electricity or gas before supplying it to consumers. These prices influence the retail rates consumers pay.