trade

noun trades

1. uncountable The buying and selling of goods and services on a market.

   Similar: commerce

2. countable A particular instance of buying or selling, or a series of related transactions executed as a single investment. I did no trades with them once the rumors started.

   Similar: deal, barter

3. countable An idea or strategy for an investment on a market. "Sell America" is the latest trade on Wall Street.
4. countable An instance of bartering items in exchange for one another. EXCHANGE — A trade or swap of no material profit to either side.
5. countable Those who perform a particular kind of skilled work. The skilled trades were the first to organize modern labor unions.

   Similar: business

6. countable Those engaged in an industry or group of related industries. It is not a retail showroom. It is only for the trade.
7. countable The skilled practice of a practical occupation. He learned his trade as an apprentice.

   Similar: craft

8. countable, uncountable An occupation in the secondary sector, as opposed to an agricultural, professional or military one. After failing his entrance exams, he decided to go into a trade.
9. UK, uncountable The business given to a commercial establishment by its customers. Even before noon there was considerable trade.

   Similar: business, takings, custom, footfall, patronage

10. countable, in plural, uncountable Steady winds blowing from east to west above and below the equator. They rode the trades going west.
11. countable, uncountable, as plural A publication intended for participants in an industry or related group of industries. Rumors about layoffs are all over the trades.
12. slang, uncountable A masculine man available for casual sex with men, often for pay. (Compare rough trade.) Not you tryna impress plumber trade.
13. obsolete, uncountable Instruments of any occupation. His House and household Gods! his trade of War, / His Bow and Quiver; and his trusty Cur.
14. abbreviation, countable, uncountable Short for trade paperback
15. countable, uncountable Refuse or rubbish from a mine.
16. countable, obsolete, uncountable A track or trail; a way; a path; passage. A postern with a blind wicket there was, / A common trade to pass through Priam's house
17. countable, obsolete, uncountable A course; a custom; a practice; an occupation. The Jewes, emong whom alone and no moe, God hitherto semed for to reigne, by reason of their knowledge of the law, and of the autoritee of being in the right trade of religion.

verb trades · trading · traded

1. ambitransitive To engage in trade. This company trades (in) precious metal.

   Similar: deal

2. copulative, intransitive To be traded at a certain price or under certain conditions. Apple is trading at $200.
3. transitive, with for To give (something) in exchange (for). Will you trade your precious watch for my earring?

   Similar: exchange, swap, switch, truck

4. transitive To mutually exchange (something) (with). The rival schoolboys traded insults and punches.
5. transitive, with on To use or exploit a particular aspect, such as a name, reputation, or image, to gain advantage or benefit. Some musicians try to trade on their past success by playing the same hits over and over again.

   Similar: exploit, capitalize on, take advantage of, use, leverage, benefit from, make use of, milk

6. intransitive, transitive To give someone a plant and receive a different one in return.
7. ambitransitive To do business; offer for sale as for one's livelihood.

   Similar: do business

8. intransitive To have dealings; to be concerned or associated (with). Saucy and over bold, how did you dare / To trade and traffic with Macbeth
9. transitive To recommend and get recommendations.

   Similar: exchange

Similar: exchange, merchandise, trade, traffic, truck, wrixle

adjective

1. not comparable Of a product, produced for sale in the ordinary bulk retail trade and hence of only the most basic quality. "It is monstrous - grotesque." "But what made him draw such an animal?" "Trade gin, I should think."