sold
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Past tense and past participle of 'sell' – transferred ownership of something to someone in exchange for money.
Can metaphorically mean to have convinced someone of an idea, betrayed someone for personal gain, or been disposed of completely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a completed transaction. Can imply finality ('all tickets are sold'). Often used in passive constructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] sold [Object] to [Recipient] for [Price].[Subject] sold [Object] at [Place/Event].[Object] was sold by [Seller].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sold a pup”
- “sold down the river”
- “sold on (an idea)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company sold its assets last quarter.
Academic
The theory was sold to the public through effective rhetoric.
Everyday
I sold my old bike online.
Technical
The trader sold the futures contract at a loss.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They sold their flat in London.
- He sold his story to a newspaper.
American English
- They sold their condo in the city.
- He sold his story to a tabloid.
adverb
British English
- This is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The sold items are listed here.
- It's a sold-out concert.
American English
- The sold merchandise is listed here.
- It's a sold-out show.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I sold my book.
- She sold her car last year.
- The toys are all sold.
- They sold their house for a good price.
- The tickets were sold in minutes.
- He has never sold anything online.
- The painting was sold to a private collector at auction.
- Having sold his share of the business, he retired.
- The idea was poorly sold to the committee.
- The government was accused of having sold out the national interest.
- The biography sold on the premise of revealing untold secrets.
- He felt sold a pup when the software failed to perform as advertised.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SOLD' as a sign you see in a shop window – it means the item is gone, the deal is done.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE COMMODITIES (e.g., 'He sold me on the plan').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'soldier' (солдат).
- Do not use 'sold' for the ongoing process of selling; use 'selling' or 'for sale'.
- Remember it is irregular; not 'selled'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'selled' (incorrect past form).
- Confusing 'sold' (past) with 'sell' (present).
- Using active voice when passive is needed (e.g., 'The car sold' vs. 'The car was sold').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sold' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for intangible things like ideas, stories, or stocks (e.g., 'He sold the concept to the board').
'Sold' means an item was purchased. 'Sold out' means all available items or tickets have been sold, with none left.
Yes, in contexts like 'a sold item' or 'sold-out event', it functions as a participial adjective.
'Sell' is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle form is 'sold', not 'selled'.