trade
trade — verb
1. to carry on the activity of buying products and selling them to customers, usual
to carry on the activity of buying products and selling them to customers, usually as part of a commercial operation
Apinya's family has been trading in Thai silk since her grandmother's time.
trade in [commodity] pattern
Rohan trades handmade clay pots at weekend markets across the city.
The two neighbouring countries trade electronics and cars across the shared border.
Bao's company trades coffee with farmers in Vietnam and Indonesia.
trade + with + [person/country]
After years of trading antiques, Paloma opened her own shop in Taipei.
- trade in
- trade with
- trade goods
- trade services
- cross-border trade
Grammar Patterns
trade + noun (goods/products/services)
trade + in + commodity
trade + with + someone
Usage Note
Subject is usually a company, country, or person in business. The preposition 'in' follows trade when naming the type of product sold; 'with' names the other party involved.
Common Mistakes
2. to deal in stocks, bonds, or other securities through a public market such as a
to deal in stocks, bonds, or other securities through a public market such as a stock exchange, or to be available for such dealing
Christopher traded his technology shares right before the market dropped sharply.
trade + shares/stocks
The company's shares now trade at about forty dollars each on the exchange.
intransitive: trade at [price]
Hassan has been trading on the stock market since he was a university student.
Oil futures trade in large amounts on this international exchange every day.
- trade shares
- trade at
- trade on the exchange
- trade stocks
- trade futures
Grammar Patterns
trade + shares/stocks/securities
trade + at + price
trade + on + exchange
Usage Note
Frequently used intransitively or in the passive when referring to share prices: 'shares trade at…' or 'shares are traded on…' The active transitive form is used when the investor is the subject.
Common Mistakes
3. to offer an item to someone and receive a different item back from them in retur
to offer an item to someone and receive a different item back from them in return, or to give up one activity and begin doing a different one
Charlotte traded her chocolate bar for Bao's apple during lunch break.
trade A for B
The children traded stickers and cards with each other after school.
After her knee injury, Élise traded basketball for swimming.
Sivan and Mert traded phone numbers before leaving the conference.
trade [phone numbers/addresses]
- trade for
- trade with someone
- trade places
Grammar Patterns
trade + noun + for + noun
Usage Note
The item being given up comes first in the sentence, followed by 'for' and the thing received in return. 'With' names the other person involved, not the exchanged item.
Common Mistakes
4. to say things such as jokes, insults, or greetings to one another in a back-and-
to say things such as jokes, insults, or greetings to one another in a back-and-forth manner
The two politicians traded accusations during the live televised debate.
trade + accusations/insults/jokes
What started as a friendly chat soon saw playful jokes traded back and forth across the table.
Isabela traded sarcastic comments with her cousin throughout the family dinner.
pattern: [person] traded [verbal noun] with [person]
Rumours were traded among the office workers during the long coffee break.
passive: [verbal nouns] were traded among [people]
- trade insults
- trade jokes
- trade stories
- trade accusations
- trade words
Grammar Patterns
trade + noun (insults/jokes/stories/accusations)
Usage Note
The object is always a plural noun describing a type of verbal exchange — insults, jokes, stories, accusations, greetings. It cannot be a singular noun or physical object.
Common Mistakes
trade — noun
1. the process in which products are bought and sold between people, companies, or
the process in which products are bought and sold between people, companies, or countries
International trade has helped many countries grow their economies over the past fifty years.
The company's trade with Southeast Asia increased by twenty percent last year.
collocation: trade with + place name
Trade in luxury goods often slows down during an economic crisis.
collocation: trade in + product category
A trade agreement between the two nations reduced taxes on imported cars.
Local farmers depend on fair trade to earn enough money for their families.
compound noun: fair trade
- international trade
- foreign trade
- trade agreement
- trade route
- fair trade
- global trade
- free trade
Grammar Patterns
trade + between + plural noun phrase
trade + in + goods/product
Common Mistakes
2. the overall flow of commercial activity a company or sector experiences, capture
the overall flow of commercial activity a company or sector experiences, captured by how many customers come in and how many orders are placed
Trade has been slow at the little bakery since a big supermarket opened nearby.
collocation: trade + be + adjective (slow/brisk/good)
The holiday season usually brings a lot of trade for local restaurants.
Trade was brisk at the weekend market, with many sellers running out of stock.
collocation: brisk trade
The new shopping centre took a lot of trade away from smaller stores nearby.
phrasal expression: take trade away from
We expect trade to pick up once the warm weather arrives.
- brisk trade
- slow trade
- good trade
- trade picks up
- trade falls off
- lose trade to
- take trade away
Grammar Patterns
trade + be + adjective (slow / brisk / good)
trade + verb + adverb (pick up / fall off)
Usage Note
Commonly appears with adjectives describing volume: brisk, slow, good, poor. Also used with phrasal verbs like pick up, fall off, and dry up.
3. a category of commercial activity centred around a specific kind of product, ser
a category of commercial activity centred around a specific kind of product, service, or type of work
The publishing trade has faced many challenges since digital books became popular.
grammar pattern: the + [field] + trade
Yuna has worked in the fashion trade for over twenty years.
New safety rules have changed the way the building trade operates.
The hotel trade relies heavily on tourists visiting during the summer months.
grammar pattern: the + [service] + trade
People in the antiques trade often travel to different countries to find rare items.
- the fashion trade
- the building trade
- the hotel trade
- the publishing trade
- the antiques trade
- the tourist trade
Grammar Patterns
the + noun + trade
the + adjective + trade
Usage Note
Always preceded by 'the' and a noun that specifies the type of business, such as the fashion trade, the building trade, or the hotel trade.
4. a type of manual occupation that you learn through hands-on practice and formal
a type of manual occupation that you learn through hands-on practice and formal instruction, such as carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work
After finishing school, Miguel decided to learn a trade instead of going to university.
collocation: learn a trade
The carpenter's trade requires years of practice to master.
Minh's grandfather was a plumber by trade and taught him everything he knew.
expression: by trade
Many schools now offer courses in the building trades for young people.
The electrician's trade is in high demand as new houses are built every year.
- learn a trade
- by trade
- practise a trade
- skilled trade
- building trade
- manual trade
- craft
emphasises the skill and artistry involved rather than the commercial aspect
- occupation
more formal, covers any regular paid work
- profession
usually implies higher education, such as law or medicine
Grammar Patterns
be + a + noun + by trade
learn a trade
the + [noun] + trade
Usage Note
Often used with 'by trade' to describe someone's profession: 'a carpenter by trade'. Distinguish from sense 3 (INDUSTRY SECTOR), which refers to the business category rather than the individual occupation.
Common Mistakes
5. all the individuals and organisations involved in a specific commercial field, r
all the individuals and organisations involved in a specific commercial field, regarded as a collective
The book trade gathered in Taipei for its annual conference.
grammar pattern: the + [field] + trade (collective meaning)
News of the new law spread quickly throughout the insurance trade.
The wine trade employs thousands of workers across the country.
Members of the music trade met to discuss the future of live concerts.
The travel trade has been working hard to attract visitors from overseas.
- the book trade
- the music trade
- the wine trade
- the travel trade
- the insurance trade
- industry
can also refer to the people within an industry, though less commonly
- profession
used for occupations requiring formal qualifications
Grammar Patterns
the + noun + trade
Usage Note
Unlike sense 3 (INDUSTRY SECTOR), which names the category of business activity itself, this sense refers to the people and organisations within that category. Compare: 'the hotel trade is growing' (sense 3 — the sector) vs 'the hotel trade opposes the new tax' (sense 5 — the people).
6. people who provide sexual services in exchange for money, or the business activi
people who provide sexual services in exchange for money, or the business activity surrounding this
A local charity helps people who were in the trade find new jobs.
Many young people in the trade face serious health and safety risks every day.
collocation: in the trade (euphemism for sex work)
The report estimated that thousands of people are part of the trade in this region.
A former worker in the trade now leads a support group for others.
Ignacio's research focuses on how social services can help people leave the trade.
- in the trade
- the sex trade
- leave the trade
- enter the trade
- sex work
the preferred modern term, less stigmatising
- prostitution
more direct and formal, but can carry negative judgement
Grammar Patterns
be + in the trade
the + noun + trade
Usage Note
A euphemistic or slang term. Used carefully and often in journalistic or sociological contexts about the sex industry.
7. the total number of individual items or services a business sells or the count o
the total number of individual items or services a business sells or the count of customer transactions it completes within a specific period
The ice-cream shop's summer trade is three times higher than its winter trade.
uncountable noun: 'summer trade / winter trade' for seasonal business volume
Zola was delighted when her café's morning trade doubled after she introduced fresh pastries.
The bookstore does most of its trade with students during the first week of each term.
Local farmers rely on the Saturday market trade to sell most of their fresh vegetables.
When the factory closed, the town's trade in building supplies dropped sharply.
pattern: 'trade in [product type]' for specifying the sector
- summer trade
- winter trade
- morning trade
- daily trade
- trade in
- do trade
- attract trade
- lose trade
- busy trade
- business
a more general term for commercial activity; 'trade' emphasizes the volume of what is sold
- sales
often used for the total number of items sold; 'sales' is countable ('sales were up'), while 'trade' is uncountable
- traffic
used specifically for customer footfall in a shop or website; 'trade' covers both footfall and revenue
Usage Note
Unlike 'sale' (which can refer to a single event or item sold), 'trade' in this sense is uncountable and does not take a plural form.
Common Mistakes
8. a single act of buying, selling, or exchanging something between two people or g
a single act of buying, selling, or exchanging something between two people or groups
The two antique collectors made a trade — a Ming vase for a Qing dynasty painting.
countable noun: 'made a trade' describing a one-off exchange
Renata offered her old bicycle in trade for Yael's digital camera.
The farmers agreed to a trade of wheat for corn between their two villages.
A fair trade requires both sides to feel that they received equal value.
idiomatic: 'fair trade' as a moral concept in exchange
After a quick trade of business cards, the two managers promised to meet again.
- make a trade
- agree to a trade
- in trade for
- fair trade
- quick trade
- a trade of
- a straight trade
- exchange
a broader, more neutral term; 'trade' often implies an equal-value swap
- swap
informal term for exchanging one item for another; 'trade' can also be used formally in business contexts
- transaction
slightly more formal and can involve money; 'trade' often implies direct exchange of goods
Usage Note
Countable — you can say 'a trade' or 'trades' in the plural. This sense differs from sense 7 (SALES VOLUME) in that it refers to one specific exchange rather than the ongoing volume of business.
Common Mistakes
9. the special skills, useful knowledge, and effective methods that people gain thr
the special skills, useful knowledge, and effective methods that people gain through years of hands-on experience in a specific profession or craft
Every experienced carpenter knows the tricks of the trade for cutting wood without splinters.
fixed expression: 'tricks of the trade'
The old baker taught Diya the trade secrets for making light and fluffy bread dough.
Years of working in journalism taught Ingrid the trade skills needed to interview difficult subjects.
After ten years in auto repair, Mei knew all the tricks of the trade for diagnosing engine problems.
fixed expression: tricks of the trade
The master potter shared the trade secrets of glazing with her new apprentice.
pattern: 'trade secrets of [craft/field]'
- tricks of the trade
- trade secrets
- trade skills
- trade methods
- the trade knows
- learn the trade
- know the trade
- know-how
practical knowledge gained through experience; 'trade' has a more craft-focused, informal tone
- expertise
a more formal term for deep knowledge; 'trade secrets' sounds more insider and hands-on
- craft
emphasizes the skill aspect; 'trade' in this sense highlights the unspoken techniques passed among practitioners
Usage Note
Often appears in set expressions such as 'the tricks of the trade' or 'trade secrets'. Unlike sense 4 (a skilled job), this sense focuses on the insider knowledge and techniques rather than the job itself.
Common Mistakes
To sell a large amount of goods very quickly and successfully.
The bakery did a roaring trade in fresh bread this morning.
Did the souvenir shop do a roaring trade during the festival?
a jack of all trades
idiomA person who has skills in many different areas but may not be an expert in any.
Maya is a jack of all trades, fixing cars and painting houses.
He's a jack of all trades, but his real talent is cooking.
To actively seek customers or passengers in order to do business.
Taxis ply for trade outside the train station every evening.
Street vendors ply for business near the busy market square.
ply your trade
idiomTo do your usual work or business, especially in a skilled job.
The carpenter plied his trade in a small workshop downtown.
Where does the artist ply her trade these days?
The special skills or clever methods that experts use in a particular job.
The chef taught Sara the tricks of the trade for making perfect pasta.
Experienced photographers know the tricks of the trade for good lighting.
trade — adjective
1. Describing books, paperbacks, or other publications that are sold through ordina
Describing books, paperbacks, or other publications that are sold through ordinary bookshops to the general public, rather than being aimed at academic or professional readers.
Naoko bought a trade paperback of the novel at the airport bookstore.
attributive: trade + paperback (publication type)
The publisher releases about fifty new trade titles each year for general readers.
collocation: trade titles
Trade editions of cookbooks often have colourful photographs on every page.
collocation: trade editions
Allison prefers trade paperbacks to mass-market ones because the print is larger.
Zuri was thrilled when her first novel came out as a trade hardcover in bookstores.
collocation: trade hardcover
- trade book
- trade paperback
- trade hardcover
- trade edition
- trade title
- trade publishing
- general-interest
more explicit about the target audience; used interchangeably but less common in publishing jargon
- mass-market
overlaps in meaning but mass-market emphasises cheap, widely-distributed editions rather than bookstore sales
- academic
academic books are written for scholars and students, sold through university presses
- professional
professional books are aimed at practitioners in a specific field, often sold through industry channels
Grammar Patterns
trade + publication noun (book/paperback/edition/title)
Usage Note
Only used before noun phrases describing types of publications — book, paperback, hardcover, edition, title, or publishing.
Common Mistakes
2. Describing newspapers, magazines, or newsletters created specifically for people
Describing newspapers, magazines, or newsletters created specifically for people who work in a particular profession or industry, containing news and information relevant to that field.
Hamza reads the weekly trade newspaper to stay informed about construction industry news.
attributive: trade + newspaper (periodical type)
The architectural trade magazine featured Rania's latest building design on its cover.
attributive: trade magazine
Many trade journals include job listings for people working in the pharmaceutical sector.
collocation: trade journals
Ritu found the new safety rules explained clearly in a trade publication for factory managers.
collocation: trade publication
Ilan subscribes to three trade newsletters covering the latest developments in renewable energy.
collocation: trade newsletters
- trade newspaper
- trade magazine
- trade journal
- trade publication
- trade newsletter
- industry
nearly interchangeable; industry publication is less common in compound form but means the same
- professional
broader — can also describe organisations and events, not just publications
Grammar Patterns
trade + periodical noun (newspaper/magazine/journal/newsletter)
Usage Note
Only used before nouns referring to periodicals (newspaper, magazine, journal, newsletter). Distinguish from trade (adjective, sense 1): this sense describes publications for industry professionals, not the general public.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All five words overlap with 'trade' (noun, sense 1: BUYING AND SELLING), but differ in scope and formality. 'Commerce' is the most formal term, used for large-scale flows of goods between regions or countries — governments sign 'commerce treaties', companies engage in 'e-commerce'. 'Business' is the broadest: it covers any commercial activity, from a street stall to a multinational corporation, and includes services and manufacturing alongside trade. 'Industry' shifts the focus to production: steel industry, film industry — it refers to the sector that makes goods, whereas 'trade' emphasises the distribution and exchange of those goods. 'Exchange' is more neutral and can be a single transaction ('an exchange of ideas') or a system ('currency exchange'). 'Deal' is the most informal — it can refer to a single transaction ('we shook hands on the deal') or a commercial arrangement, but unlike 'trade', it cannot describe a whole economic system ('international trade', not 'international deal').
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'trade' entered English in the late 1300s from Middle English, meaning 'a path, track, or course of life'. It was borrowed from Middle Low German 'trade' (path, track), which came from Old Saxon 'trada', ultimately from Proto-West Germanic '*tradō' meaning a beaten path or track. The sense shifted from a physical path to 'one's habitual way of life' (a person's 'trade' was their customary occupation), then to the business activity itself by the 1500s. The financial sense (buying and selling stocks) dates from the 1600s, and the adjective use for publication types appeared in the early 1900s.