resell: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral (Common in business/commercial contexts, understood in general use)
Quick answer
What does “resell” mean?
To sell something that one has previously bought.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To sell something that one has previously bought.
To sell something on behalf of another party, often as a business intermediary; to sell something again, particularly after some modification or improvement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties, though in specific sectors like electronics or tickets, it can carry a negative connotation of profiteering or scalping.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects, with similar frequency in business and consumer contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “resell” in a Sentence
[Subject] + resell + [Direct Object][Subject] + resell + [Direct Object] + to + [Recipient][Subject] + resell + [Direct Object] + at/for + [Price]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resell” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He plans to resell the vintage record for a hefty profit.
- The terms forbid you from reselling the software.
American English
- She bought the sneakers just to resell them online.
- You can't resell tickets above face value in this state.
adverb
British English
- This model sells resell quickly on the second-hand market. (Rare, often rephrased)
- N/A
American English
- N/A
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The resell value of the car was surprisingly high.
- They checked the item's resell potential.
American English
- Its high resell price made it a good investment.
- The phone has poor resell value after a year.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Central to retail, wholesale, and distribution models. E.g., 'The company buys in bulk and resells to individual retailers.'
Academic
Used in economics, business studies, and sociology papers discussing market behaviour and supply chains.
Everyday
Common when discussing second-hand goods, event tickets, or online marketplaces like eBay.
Technical
Used in IT regarding software licences, in logistics regarding grey market goods, and in law regarding the 'first-sale doctrine'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resell”
- Using 'resell' for selling a service again (less common).
- Confusing 'resell' with 'retell'.
- Incorrect stress: /ˈriːsɛl/ instead of /ˌriːˈsɛl/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sell' is the general act of transferring ownership for money. 'Resell' specifies that the seller is not the original producer or is selling an item they themselves acquired through purchase. All reselling is selling, but not all selling is reselling.
It is standard as one word (resell). The hyphenated form 're-sell' is occasionally seen but is less common in modern usage.
This is a complex legal and technical area. Often, End User Licence Agreements (EULAs) for software, e-books, or digital music prohibit resale. However, physical media (like a DVD) can typically be resold under the 'first-sale doctrine' in many jurisdictions.
Common terms include 'reseller', 'retailer', 'distributor', 'middleman', or informally, a 'flipper'. The specific term depends on the scale and context of the business.
To sell something that one has previously bought.
Resell is usually neutral (common in business/commercial contexts, understood in general use) in register.
Resell: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈsɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈsɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Buy low, sell high (related concept)”
- “Flip for a profit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE + SELL. You SELL something AGAIN (RE-). Like a shop that buys from a supplier and then RE-SELLs to you.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE IS A CHAIN (of transactions); GOODS ARE COMMODITIES (that move along the chain).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'resell' LEAST appropriate?