What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wholesale
Example
The store buys their products wholesale from the manufacturer. [wholesale: adverb]
Example
We offer wholesale prices for customers who buy in bulk. [wholesale: adjective]
bulk
Example
I need to buy this item in bulk for my business. [bulk: noun]
Example
The bulk of the shipment was made up of small items. [bulk: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bulk is more commonly used than wholesale in everyday language. Bulk is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wholesale is more specific to business and commercial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wholesale and bulk?
Both wholesale and bulk can be used in formal and informal contexts, but wholesale is more commonly associated with business and commercial settings, making it slightly more formal in tone.