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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Supplier Definition, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：provider (supplier)

supplier 🔊

/səˈplaɪər/

A person or company that provides goods or services that you need for your business or daily life.

Supplier handing over fresh produce box to customer in market

provider 🔊

➕

/prəˈvaɪdər/

A supplier is a person, business, or organization that provides goods or services to another party, often in a commercial context.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'supply' (Latin 'supplere' to fill) + '-er' (agent), denoting one who supplies.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'supply car' delivering goods - the driver is the supplier.

📖 Example

Our cafe is looking for a new coffee bean supplier because we want better quality beans at a fair price. 🔊 Our cafe is looking for a new coffee bean supplier because we want better quality beans at a fair price.

🔗 Collocations

supplier management – The process of overseeing and coordinating relationships with suppliers.

key supplier – A primary or essential supplier for a business.

supplier relationship – The ongoing interaction and partnership between a buyer and a supplier.

🔄 Synonyms

vendor (n.) – A person or company that sells goods or services, especially one that operates in a market or through a contract.

provider (n.) – A person or entity that supplies something needed, such as services or products.

merchant (n.) – A person who buys and sells goods for profit, often in a retail or wholesale context.

🚫 Antonyms

customer (n.) – A person or business that buys goods or services from a seller.

buyer (n.) – A person who purchases goods or services.

consumer (n.) – A person who uses a product or service, often the end user.

🌱 Derivatives

supply (v.) – To provide something that is needed.

supplies (n.) – Plural form; items provided, such as food, equipment, or materials.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'supplere' (to fill up), 'supplier' entered English in the 14th century. Historically, suppliers were local craftsmen; today, they are key in global supply chains. No fictional tales.

Meaning 2：material supplier (supplier)

supplier 🔊

/səˈplaɪər/

The specific party in a supply chain that provides a particular raw material or component to the next stage.

Industrial truck unloading raw material from supplier at factory

material supplier 🔊

➕

/məˈtɪriəl səˈplaɪər/

A material supplier is a company or entity that provides specific raw materials, components, or parts needed for manufacturing or construction.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

This construction company has a long-term contract with its steel supplier to ensure materials arrive on time for every project. 🔊 This construction company has a long-term contract with its steel supplier to ensure materials arrive on time for every project.

🔗 Collocations

steel supplier – A company that supplies steel to manufacturers.

component supplier – A supplier that provides specific parts or components for assembly.

sole supplier – The only supplier of a particular material or component for a buyer.

🔄 Synonyms

vendor (n.) – A person or company that sells goods, especially raw materials or components.

source (n.) – An origin or point of supply for materials.

contractor (n.) – A person or company that provides materials or services under a contract.

🚫 Antonyms

customer (n.) – The buyer of the materials supplied.

retailer (n.) – A seller who sells directly to consumers, often not the supplier of raw materials.

end user (n.) – The final consumer who uses the finished product.

🌱 Derivatives

supply (v.) – To provide something that is needed.

supplies (n.) – Plural form; items provided, such as food, equipment, or materials.