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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Supply: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：provide (supply)

supply 🔊

/səˈplaɪ/

n./vt.

to give or provide something that someone needs or wants.

Supply definition illustrated: a worker stocking shelves with fresh food boxes.

provide 🔊

➕

/prəˈvaɪd/

n./vt.

To make something needed or wanted available to someone.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'supplere', meaning 'to fill up' (sub- 'up' + plere 'to fill').

💡 Mnemonic

Think: A SUPERmarket has to PLY (supply) you with all the goods you need.

📖 Example

During the pandemic, many factories worked overtime to supply hospitals with much-needed ventilators. 🔊 During the pandemic, many factories worked overtime to provide hospitals with much-needed ventilators.

🔗 Collocations

supply chain – The sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.

supply with – To provide someone or something with a particular item.

supply and demand – The relationship between the availability of a product and the desire for it, affecting price.

🔄 Synonyms

provide (vt.) – To make something available for use; to give what is needed.

furnish (vt.) – To provide or supply with necessary items, often for a specific purpose like equipping a room.

equip (vt.) – To provide with the necessary items for a particular purpose or activity.

🚫 Antonyms

withhold (vt.) – To refuse to give something that is due or desired.

deprive (vt.) – To deny someone the possession or use of something.

deny (vt.) – To refuse to grant or give something requested.

🌱 Derivatives

supplier (n.) – A person or company that provides goods or services.

supplies (n. (pl.)) – Materials or provisions stored and dispensed when needed.

📖 Cultural Story

In business and economics, the concept of 'supply' versus 'demand' is fundamental. The modern economic usage solidified during the Industrial Revolution, describing the flow of goods to markets, making it a cornerstone of classical economic theory.

Meaning 2：available amount (supply)

supply 🔊

/səˈplaɪ/

n./vt.

the amount of something that is available for people to use or buy.

available amount 🔊

➕

/əˈveɪləbəl əˈmaʊnt/

n./vt.

The total amount of a product, resource, or service that is available for use or purchase.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The supermarket ran out of its supply of fresh fruit after the weekend sale. 🔊 The supermarket exhausted its available amount of fresh fruit after the weekend sale.

🔗 Collocations

in short supply – Not enough of something is available; scarce.

supply runs out – The available quantity becomes exhausted.

supply of – The available quantity of a specific item.

🔄 Synonyms

stock (n.) – A supply of goods or materials available for sale or use.

inventory (n.) – A complete list of items such as goods in stock.

reserves (n. (pl.)) – A supply of a commodity not needed for immediate use but available if required.

🚫 Antonyms

demand (n.) – The desire of consumers for a particular commodity or service.

shortage (n.) – A state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts.

lack (n.) – The state of being without or not having enough of something.