sel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighAll registers (Informal to Formal)
Quick answer
What does “sel” mean?
To exchange something for money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To exchange something for money; to give or hand over (goods, property, services) in return for payment.
To persuade someone of the merits or value of an idea, proposal, or person; to be purchased or achieve sales; to betray or disappoint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal core differences. UK may use 'sell up' more specifically for selling a business/property to emigrate or retire. US uses 'sell (someone) on (something)' more frequently for persuasion. Spelling differences only in derived forms (e.g., selling/sold).
Connotations
In both, 'sell out' has strong negative connotations of betraying principles for money/gain. 'Hard sell' (aggressive sales technique) is common in both.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties. Collocational patterns largely identical.
Grammar
How to Use “sel” in a Sentence
NP sell NP (to NP)NP sell for + amountNP sell (NP) as NPNP sell (well/badly)sell NP off/out/upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to sell the flat in Kensington.
- The new album sold out in a matter of hours.
- He's trying to sell me on holidaying in Cornwall.
American English
- We need to sell the condo in Miami.
- The product sold out within minutes online.
- She sold me on the idea of working remotely.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb.
adjective
British English
- The sell-by date is clearly marked on the package.
- They faced a hard-sell approach from the timeshare company.
American English
- Check the sell-by date on the milk.
- I hate the sell job they put on during the seminar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Core term for commerce: 'The company sells software solutions.' 'We need to sell our inventory.'
Academic
Used in economics, marketing, and critical theory: 'Marx analyzed how labor power is sold.' 'The author sells a compelling narrative.'
Everyday
Very common: 'I'm selling my old bike.' 'Did the tickets sell out?' 'He tried to sell me on the plan.'
Technical
In finance: 'Sell orders', 'short sell'. In real estate: 'list and sell'. In performing arts: 'sell the performance'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sel”
- Incorrect past tense: 'selled' instead of 'sold'.
- Confusing 'sell' (verb) with 'sale' (noun).
- Using 'sell' without an object where one is needed: 'He sells' vs. 'He sells cars'.
- Misspelling as 'cell'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sell' is a verb (the action), 'sale' is a noun (the event or instance of selling). Example: 'I will sell my car. The sale will happen next week.'
It is irregular. The three principal forms are: sell (base), sold (past simple & past participle), sold (past participle).
It has two main meanings: 1) To sell all of the available items (e.g., 'The show sold out'). 2) To abandon one's principles for personal gain, often money (e.g., 'He sold out and joined the corporation he once criticized').
Yes, in intransitive uses, often describing how well something is purchased: 'The book sells for £10.' 'His new novel is selling poorly.' However, a direct object is usually implied from context.
To exchange something for money.
Sel is usually all registers (informal to formal) in register.
Sel: in British English it is pronounced /sɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sell like hot cakes”
- “sell someone down the river”
- “sell your soul (to the devil)”
- “sell ice to Eskimos”
- “hard sell”
- “easy sell”
- “sell-by date”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SELLer at a market with a BELL, ringing it to attract buyers. SELL and BELL both have 'ell'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION IS PERSUASION (e.g., 'sell an idea'), SUCCESS IS A SOLD PRODUCT (e.g., 'the concept sold well'), BETRAYAL IS SELLING (e.g., 'sell out').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'sell' used metaphorically?