furnish

verb

fur·​nish ˈfər-nish How to pronounce furnish (audio)
furnished; furnishing; furnishes

transitive verb

1
: to provide with what is needed
especially : to equip with furniture
The inn is beautifully furnished.
2
: supply, give
furnished food and shelter for the refugees
furnisher noun
Choose the Right Synonym for furnish

furnish, equip, outfit, appoint, accoutre mean to supply one with what is needed.

furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function.

a sparsely furnished apartment

equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.

a fully equipped kitchen

outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special occupation.

outfitted the family for a ski trip

appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.

a lavishly appointed apartment

accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.

fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

Examples of furnish in a Sentence

The inn is beautifully furnished. He has enough money to furnish the apartment nicely. We'll furnish the food for the party. Can he furnish the information to us?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The outdoor space is also a highlight, which is just outside the kitchen and furnished with a table and chairs. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2024 If that doesn’t suffice, the analysts suggest both a definition of inflation and a quick trip down memory lane—furnished with a couple of data points. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024 However, those that have performed backup withholding for a payee during 2024 must file a Form 945 and a Form 1099-K with the IRS and furnish a copy to the payee. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 Indoors, the home includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms, fully furnished with designer pieces. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for furnish 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English furnisshen, from Anglo-French furniss-, stem of furnir, fournir to complete, equip, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German frummen to further, fruma advantage — more at foremost

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of furnish was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near furnish

Cite this Entry

“Furnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furnish. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

furnish

verb
fur·​nish ˈfər-nish How to pronounce furnish (audio)
1
: to provide with what is needed
the cave furnished us with shelter
especially : to provide with furniture
furnish an apartment
2
: to supply or give to someone or something
we'll furnish the food for the guests
furnisher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on furnish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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