furnish

verb

fur·​nish ˈfər-nish 

furnished; furnishing; furnishes

transitive verb

1

: to provide with what is needed

The students are furnished with the necessary materials.

especially : to equip with furniture

The inn is beautifully furnished.

2

: supply, give

furnished food and shelter for the refugees

furnisher noun

Synonyms of furnish

• equip
• supply

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

Renovated in 2023, the traditional Goan style continues in guest rooms with parquet floors, cane weave chairs, antique-style wardrobes with mirrors and headboards, and furnished balconies or terraces. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026

The archways are furnished with sluice gates that can open to allow excess water to pass through in periods of flooding. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

That story involved some alcohol as the fan was under 21, and another man was later charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor. —Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

The county denied that furnishing privacy waivers was the standard practice for such inspections. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

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

Rhymes for furnish

• burnish

Kids Definition

furnish

verb

fur·​nish ˈfər-nish 

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