Sell vs. Sale: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Sell is a verb meaning to exchange a product or service for money, whereas sale is a noun referring to the act of selling or a special offering of goods at reduced prices.
Key Differences
Sell functions as a verb, indicating the action of giving something in exchange for money. Sale, as a noun, refers to the event or process where items are sold, often at a discounted price.
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Nov 17, 2023
Sell is used when discussing the act of transferring ownership of goods or services. Sale is typically used to denote the event or instance of selling, especially when goods are offered at reduced prices.
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Nov 17, 2023
The ability to sell effectively is key to business success, focusing on the transaction and persuasion. A sale, however, often implies a special offer, attracting customers with lower prices or special deals.
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Nov 17, 2023
When a businessperson says, "We need to sell more products," they focus on the action of selling. When they announce, "We have a sale on electronics," they refer to a special event or period with discounted prices.
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Nov 17, 2023
The strategy to sell involves understanding customer needs and effectively marketing the product. In contrast, a sale is a marketing tactic used to boost short-term revenue, clear stock, or attract new customers.
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Nov 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To exchange goods or services for money.
The event of selling goods, often at discounts.
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Nov 17, 2023
Usage in Sentence
"She wants to sell her car."
"The store is having a big sale."
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Nov 17, 2023
Business Strategy
Focused on customer persuasion and transaction.
Often involves discounted pricing or special offers.
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Nov 17, 2023
Marketing Context
Essential for ongoing business success.
Used as a tactic for promotions and attracting customers.
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Nov 17, 2023
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Sell and Sale Definitions
Sell
Sell means to exchange something for money.
He plans to sell his old guitar.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sale
Sale refers to the event of selling something.
The sale of the house was completed yesterday.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sell
Sell is a commercial activity of offering goods or services.
They sell clothing and accessories.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sale
Sale is an act of generating revenue through transactions.
The annual sale contributes significantly to their revenue.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sell
Sell is the act of achieving sales in business.
Our goal is to sell 100 units this month.
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Nov 13, 2023
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Sale
Sale often refers to a retail event with special prices.
Black Friday is known for its big sales.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sell
To exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
We sold our old car for a modest sum.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
The exchange of goods or services for an amount of money or its equivalent; the act of selling
The sale of such a nice house should be easy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To give up or surrender in exchange for a price or reward
Sell one's soul to the devil.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
An offer or arrangement in which goods are sold at a discount
The store has a sale on winter coats.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To be purchased in (a certain quantity); achieve sales of
A book that sold a million copies.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
The business or activity of selling goods or services
She works in sales.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To bring about or encourage sales of; promote
Good publicity sold the product.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
The number of items sold or the amount of money received for a number of items sold
Sales are better than expected.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To cause to be accepted; advocate successfully
We sold the proposal to the school committee.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
An exchange of goods or services for currency or credit.
He celebrated after the sale of company.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To persuade (another) to recognize the worth or desirability of something
They sold me on the idea.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
Short for discount sale The sale of goods at reduced prices.
They are having a clearance sale: 50% off.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To exchange ownership for money or its equivalent; engage in selling
Are any of the fruit vendors still selling?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To attract prospective buyers; be popular on the market
An item that doesn't sell.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
The act of selling; the transfer of property, or a contract to transfer the ownership of property, from one person to another for a valuable consideration, or for a price in money.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
An act or instance of selling
Ordered a sell of his shares in the company.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
Opportunity of selling; demand; market.
They shall have ready sale for them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Something that sells or gains acceptance in a particular way
Their program to raise taxes will be a difficult sell.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
Public disposal to the highest bidder, or exposure of goods in market; auction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
The general activity of selling;
They tried to boost sales
Laws limit the sale of handguns
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To transfer goods or provide services in exchange for money.
I'll sell you three books for a hundred dollars.
Sorry, I'm not prepared to sell.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
A particular instance of selling;
He has just made his first sale
They had to complete the sale before the banks closed
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
(ergative) To be sold.
This old stock will never sell.
The corn sold for a good price.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
The state of being purchasable; offered or exhibited for selling;
You'll find vitamin C for sale at most pharmacies
The new line of cars will soon be on sale
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
An occasion (usually brief) for buying at specially reduced prices;
They held a sale to reduce their inventory
I got some great bargains at their annual sale
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To promote a particular viewpoint.
My boss is very old-fashioned and I'm having a lot of trouble selling the idea of working at home occasionally.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
An agreement (or contract) in which property is transferred from the seller (vendor) to the buyer (vendee) for a fixed price in money (paid or agreed to be paid by the buyer);
The salesman faxed the sales agreement to his home office
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Oct 19, 2023
Sale
Sale means a period when goods are sold at reduced prices.
They're having a clearance sale this weekend.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sale
Sale is a commercial offer to sell goods or services.
The shop has a special sale on winter clothing.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sell
To pretend that an opponent's blows or maneuvers are causing legitimate injury; to act.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
The promotion of an idea for acceptance.
This is going to be a tough sell.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
An imposition, a cheat; a hoax; a disappointment; anything occasioning a loss of pride or dignity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
A rope (usually for tying up cattle, but can also mean any sort of rope).
He picked up the sell from the straw-strewn barn-floor, snelly sneaked up behind her and sleekly slung it around her swire while scryingː "dee, dee ye fooking quhoreǃ".
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To transfer to another for an equivalent; to give up for a valuable consideration; to dispose of in return for something, especially for money. It is the correlative of buy.
If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor.
I am changed; I'll go sell all my land.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To make a matter of bargain and sale of; to accept a price or reward for, as for a breach of duty, trust, or the like; to betray.
You would have sold your king to slaughter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
To practice selling commodities.
I will buy with you, sell with you; . . . but I will not eat with you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent;
He sold his house in January
She sells her body to survive and support her drug habit
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Be sold at a certain price or in a certain way;
These books sell like hot cakes
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Do business; offer for sale as for one's livelihood;
She deals in gold
The brothers sell shoes
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Persuade somebody to accept something;
The French try to sell us their image as great lovers
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Give up for a price or reward;
She sold her principles for a successful career
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Sell
Deliver to an enemy by treachery;
Judas sold Jesus
The spy betrayed his country
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Be approved of or gain acceptance;
The new idea sold well in certain circles
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Oct 19, 2023
Sell
Sell involves convincing someone to buy something.
She can sell anything to anyone.
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Nov 13, 2023
Sell
Sell means to transfer ownership for a price.
He sold his car last week.
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Nov 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is 'sell' always about making a profit?
Not necessarily, 'sell' simply means exchanging something for money.
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Nov 17, 2023
What does 'sale' imply in marketing?
It implies a special event to boost purchases.
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Nov 17, 2023
Can an individual 'sell' their skills?
Yes, in the context of job markets and freelancing.
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Nov 17, 2023
Can 'sale' refer to selling services?
Yes, 'sale' can refer to the offering of services, though it's more common with goods.
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Nov 17, 2023
What's the opposite of "sell"?
The opposite of "sell" is "buy" or "purchase," which involves acquiring items in exchange for money.
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Nov 17, 2023
Can "sell" refer to intangible items or services?
Yes, "sell" can refer to the exchange of services or digital products, not just physical goods.
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Nov 17, 2023
Does 'sell' have different forms?
Yes, 'sell' has different tense forms like 'sold' and 'selling.'
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Nov 17, 2023
Are all sales at discounted prices?
Often, but not always. 'Sale' can refer to regular transactions as well.
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Nov 17, 2023
Does 'sale' always mean lower prices?
Typically, but it can also mean a special offer regardless of price.
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Nov 17, 2023
Can "sell" be used metaphorically?
Yes, "sell" can be used metaphorically, such as "selling an idea" or "selling oneself."
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Nov 17, 2023
What are some synonyms for "sell"?
Synonyms for "sell" include "vend," "market," "peddle," and "trade."
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Nov 17, 2023
Can "sale" also refer to the transfer of property or assets?
Yes, "sale" can refer to the act of selling real estate, vehicles, or other assets.
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Nov 17, 2023
Are "sales" and "revenue" the same thing?
No, "sales" typically refer to the total amount generated from selling goods or services, while "revenue" includes all income sources.
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Nov 17, 2023
What is a "fire sale"?
A "fire sale" is a situation where goods or assets are sold quickly at significantly reduced prices, often due to urgent circumstances.
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Nov 17, 2023
What's the relationship between "sell" and "sale"?
"Sell" is the action of exchanging goods for value, while "sale" is the event or process of selling. They are closely related but have different grammatical functions.
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Nov 17, 2023
Are there different types of selling, such as retail and wholesale?
Yes, "retail" selling involves selling directly to consumers, while "wholesale" selling involves selling in bulk to other businesses.
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Nov 17, 2023
What does "clearance sale" mean?
A "clearance sale" is an event where merchandise is sold at reduced prices to clear out old or excess inventory.
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Nov 17, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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