trade

The activity of buying and selling goods or services.

• Trade brings money into the country.
• International trade grew last year.
• The agreement encourages trade between neighbouring countries.

How to use it: trade in something (Trade in coffee supports many families.); trade between A and B (Trade between the two countries has increased.)

Similar words: commerce

Common phrases: international trade, trade in something, trade between countries

A job that involves practical skills learned through training, such as building or repairing things.

• He wants to learn a trade.
• She is a carpenter by trade.
• Plumbing and bricklaying are useful trades.

How to use it: a carpenter/plumber/etc. by trade (He is an electrician by trade.)

Similar words: craft, occupation

Common phrases: learn a trade, skilled trade, carpenter by trade

An exchange in which each person gives something and receives something else.

• That was a fair trade.
• We made a trade: my bicycle for her camera.
• The teams agreed to a trade involving two players.

How to use it: a trade with someone (I made a trade with my friend.)

Similar words: exchange, swap

Common phrases: make a trade, fair trade, trade with someone

One act of buying or selling, especially shares or other investments.

• The broker completed the trade.
• She made three trades before noon.
• That trade earned the investor a small profit.

Similar words: transaction, deal

Common phrases: stock trade, execute a trade, profitable trade

The people who do a particular kind of skilled practical work.

• The building trade needs more workers.
• The skilled trades are well represented in the union.
• Representatives of the trade met to discuss training.

Similar words: business

Common phrases: the building trade, the skilled trades, trade representatives

To give something to someone and receive something else from them.

• We traded cards after school.
• The neighbours traded stories about their childhoods.
• Would you trade seats with me?

How to use it: trade something with someone (I traded cards with my cousin.); trade something for something (She traded her bicycle for a guitar.)

Similar words: exchange, swap

Common phrases: trade with someone, trade something for something, trade stories

To buy and sell goods or services as a business.

• They trade in fresh fruit.
• The company traded with customers across Europe.
• Small shops can now trade online.

How to use it: trade in something (The company trades in used cars.); trade with someone/something (We trade with several companies in Italy.)

Similar words: deal, do business

Common phrases: trade in something, trade with someone, trade overseas