supply
B1Neutral (used across formal, academic, business, and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To make something available or provide something that is needed.
As a noun: the total amount of a product or service available; a stock; the act of providing something. Also used in electrical/mechanical contexts (e.g., power supply, water supply).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun form is high-frequency in economics, logistics, and everyday contexts. The verb often pairs with an indirect object (supply X to Y) or a direct object + preposition (supply Y with X).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'supply' is identical. Usage differences are minimal, though certain collocations may show regional preference (e.g., 'supply teacher' is UK; US equivalent is 'substitute teacher').
Connotations
Identical core connotations. In military contexts, 'supplies' is equally common in both varieties.
Frequency
Both verb and noun forms are extremely frequent in both varieties with no significant disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
supply something to somebody/somethingsupply somebody/something with somethingsupply something (as a vendor/manufacturer)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in short supply”
- “the supply line”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critical in logistics, procurement, and economics (e.g., 'We need to secure our supply chain.').
Academic
Common in economics, engineering, and environmental studies (e.g., 'The study analyses the elasticity of supply.').
Everyday
Used for household utilities and shopping (e.g., 'We need to buy a fresh supply of milk.').
Technical
In electronics/engineering: 'mains supply', 'DC power supply'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company will supply all necessary materials to the construction site.
- Could you supply me with the latest sales figures?
- The lake supplies water to three nearby towns.
American English
- The vendor will supply the software licenses directly.
- Can you supply us with more details on the contract?
- The pipeline supplies natural gas to the entire region.
adverb
British English
- This is not used as a standard adverb.
- N/A
- N/A
American English
- This is not used as a standard adverb.
- N/A
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She works as a supply teacher for local primary schools.
- We need to find a supply source for the rare component.
- The supply route was secured by the military.
American English
- He took a job as a substitute (supply) teacher last semester.
- We're experiencing supply-side issues with the new product.
- The supply depot is located just outside the base.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The shop has a good supply of fruit.
- Please supply your name and address.
- Water supply is very important.
- The factory supplies parts to car manufacturers.
- Our office supplies are running low.
- The power supply was interrupted during the storm.
- The agreement stipulates that they will supply us with raw materials for five years.
- Disruptions in the supply chain led to significant delays.
- The charity aims to supply clean water to remote villages.
- The government intervened to shore up the supply of affordable housing.
- Critics argue that the policy will constrict the money supply.
- The research unit is amply supplied with the latest technology.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a supermarket SUPPLYing (SUPPLY) shelves with PLENTY of goods.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPLY IS A FLOW (e.g., 'cut off the supply', 'stream of supplies').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'supply' for abstract 'provision' or 'stipulation' (as in legal条款). Russian 'снабжать' and 'поставка' map well, but 'supply' is not a direct match for 'предложение' (which is 'offer' or 'suggestion').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'supply somebody something' (missing 'to' or 'with'). Mistaking noun/verb stress patterns (both are /səˈplaɪ/). Using 'supplies' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'a lot of supply' vs. 'a lot of supplies' for items).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common British English term using 'supply'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, its past tense and past participle are 'supplied'.
They are often interchangeable, but 'supply' often implies a continuous provision of tangible goods or resources, while 'provide' is broader and can include intangible things (e.g., information, opportunity).
Yes: 'supply food to the refugees' OR 'supply the refugees with food'. Both are correct and mean the same thing.
When referring to a collection of items or provisions (e.g., office supplies, medical supplies), it is plural. The singular 'supply' refers to the general availability or act of providing.
Collections
Part of a collection
Economics Terms
B2 · 50 words · Key vocabulary for economics and financial systems.