Furnish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈfər-nish/ fur·nish

Meaning & Definition of Furnish

Furnish (verb)

  1. to provide with what is needed; especially, to equip with furniture
  2. supply, give

Furnish (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to provide (someone) with what is needed for a task or activity

    "the art students were furnished with brushes, crayons, pencils, and various other art supplies"

    similar: accoutre, equip, fit (out), gird, kit (up or out) (chiefly British), outfit, provision, rig, supply
    related: stock, store, bestow, contribute, donate, give, present, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, hand out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate, allocate, allot, assign, arm, fortify, prepare, reequip, refit, refurnish, reoutfit
    near: deprive, dispossess, divest, strip

  2. to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption

    "we'll gladly furnish the food for any out-of-town guests"

    similar: deliver, feed, give, hand, hand over, provide, supply
    related: ply (with), administer, allocate, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate, assign, cede, deed, make over, transfer
    opposite: hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain, withhold
    near: conserve, keep up, maintain, preserve, save

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Furnish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Furnish:

Chiefly British: kit (up or out)
accoutre, equip, fit (out), gird, outfit, provision, rig, supply, deliver, feed, give, hand, hand over, provide

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Furnish

Words with the opposite meaning of Furnish:

hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain, withhold

Related Words for Furnish

stock, store, bestow, contribute, donate, present, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, hand out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate, allocate, allot, assign, arm, fortify, prepare, reequip, refit, refurnish, reoutfit, ply (with), administer, cede, deed

Near Antonyms of Furnish

deprive, dispossess, divest, strip, conserve, keep up, maintain, preserve, save

Word Forms of Furnish

Inflections: furnished, furnishing, furnishes

Derived words: furnisher (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Furnish

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 foremost

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Furnish

What does "Furnish" mean?

"Furnish" means to provide with what is needed; especially, to equip with furniture. As a verb, it is defined as: to provide with what is needed; especially, to equip with furniture. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Furnish"?

Other words for "Furnish" include accoutre, equip, fit (out), gird, kit (up or out), outfit, provision and rig. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Furnish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Furnish"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Furnish". Common alternatives include accoutre, equip, fit (out), gird, kit (up or out), outfit, provision, rig, supply and deliver.

What is the opposite of "Furnish"?

Antonyms of "Furnish" include hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain and withhold. Near antonyms include deprive, dispossess, divest and strip.

How do you use "Furnish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Furnish" in a sentence: "the art students were furnished with brushes, crayons, pencils, and various other art supplies"; "we'll gladly furnish the food for any out-of-town guests".

Is "Furnish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Furnish" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Furnish"?

"Furnish" is pronounced /ˈfər-nish/ and divided into syllables as fur·nish.

What is the origin of the word "Furnish"?

"Furnish" comes from 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 foremost. First known use: 15th century.