traded
traded — adjective
- tradedpositive
- more tradedcomparative
- most tradedsuperlative
1. describes a newspaper or magazine whose audience is limited to professionals wit
describes a newspaper or magazine whose audience is limited to professionals within a single business field or trade sector, not the wider public.
Adaeze subscribed to a traded magazine that covers the latest medical equipment.
traded + noun (publication)
The traded journal for hotel managers includes a section on new booking software.
Eitan writes articles for a traded newspaper read by construction engineers.
Most traded publications are not sold in ordinary newsstands on the street.
- specialized
broader; can describe any narrow field, not just a business sector
- general-interest
aimed at the public, not at one industry
文法句型
traded + noun (publication, newspaper, magazine)
用法筆記
Attributive only — always placed before a noun. The noun is usually a type of publication. Compare with sense 2 (COMMERCIAL), which refers to physical goods rather than publications.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the buying and selling of products or raw materials, especially betw
relating to the buying and selling of products or raw materials, especially between different countries.
All traded commodities must pass through a customs inspection at the border.
traded commodity: goods bought and sold between countries
The value of traded goods between Kenya and India has risen sharply this year.
Traded items are recorded in a shipping log before they leave the warehouse.
The port authority charges a fee on every ton of traded cargo that passes through.
Rin explained how traded raw materials travel from farms to factories overseas.
- commercial
broader; not limited to cross-border exchange
文法句型
traded + noun (goods, commodities, items, cargo)
用法筆記
Attributive only. Often describes physical goods in transit or under customs. Distinguish from sense 1 (INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC), which refers to publications, not products.
3. describes a price or rate that is offered only to other businesses in the same i
describes a price or rate that is offered only to other businesses in the same industry, not to individual customers.
The traded price for a case of wine is about thirty percent below the retail price.
traded price: business-to-business rate
Noor received a traded discount because she ordered supplies for her restaurant.
Hotels can book rooms at a traded rate that regular travellers cannot get.
Manufacturers offer a traded price to builders who buy materials in large batches.
- wholesale
more common in everyday language; refers specifically to bulk pricing
- retail
prices or rates for the final consumer
文法句型
traded + noun (price, discount, rate)
用法筆記
Attributive only. Common in wholesale and supply-chain contexts. The noun after 'traded' names the financial term (price, discount, rate).
4. relating to organizations that represent workers in a particular industry, or ma
relating to organizations that represent workers in a particular industry, or made up of members from such organizations.
The traded council voted to support the strike at the steel factory.
traded council: body of union representatives
A traded delegation met with government officials to discuss minimum wage rules.
Manuela was elected to the traded committee that negotiates contracts for nurses.
The traded body represents over two hundred thousand workers across the country.
- union
shorter and more common
文法句型
traded + noun (council, delegation, committee)
用法筆記
Attributive only. In modern British English, the form 'trade union' (noun) or 'trade-union' (compound adjective) is far more common than 'traded'. This sense appears mostly in historical or formal council names.
常見錯誤
traded — noun
1. the process through which products or services are bought, sold, or exchanged, e
the process through which products or services are bought, sold, or exchanged, either within one country or across national borders.
International trade has helped bring cheaper electronics to consumers around the world.
international trade: cross-border commerce
Trade between Taiwan and Vietnam has grown quickly over the past ten years.
The government introduced new rules to make trade in organic food easier.
Small shops often struggle to survive because their trade drops during the winter.
The two countries signed an agreement to increase trade in farm products.
文法句型
in trade / trade in + noun
trade between + noun and noun
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the general activity ('Trade is important'). Countable when referring to a specific amount or instance ('a brisk trade in souvenirs').
常見錯誤
2. a particular type of business or industry, especially one involving the sale of
a particular type of business or industry, especially one involving the sale of specific products.
Omar has worked in the book trade for more than twenty years.
the + [product] + trade: names a specific industry
The tourist trade is the main source of income for the town.
Changes in the fashion trade happen faster than in most other industries.
Eleni left the hotel trade and started her own catering company.
The wine trade relies on good weather during the grape harvest season.
文法句型
the + noun + trade
in the + adj + trade
用法筆記
Follows the pattern 'the [product/activity] trade'. Distinguish from sense 1 (BUYING AND SELLING), which is uncountable and refers to the general activity, and sense 3 (SKILLED JOB), which refers to hands-on work rather than a whole industry.
常見錯誤
3. a type of occupation where you do practical, hands-on work that calls for specia
a type of occupation where you do practical, hands-on work that calls for special training — for example, being a carpenter, electrician, or plumber.
David learned the plumbing trade after finishing high school.
learn a/the trade: acquire the skills for a skilled job
Esme is a carpenter by trade and runs her own furniture workshop.
by trade: describes someone's profession
Many young people in the region choose a trade rather than going to university.
The school offers courses in several trades, including welding and baking.
Nicholas spent four years as an apprentice learning the electrician's trade.
- craft
emphasises the skill and artistry involved
- occupation
neutral; covers any type of work
- profession
a job requiring advanced education, such as law or medicine
文法句型
a trade
by trade
learn a trade
ply one's trade
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'learn a trade', 'by trade', and 'ply one's trade'. Distinguish from sense 2 (A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY): this sense refers to a specific hands-on occupation, not to a whole business sector.
常見錯誤
4. everyone who makes a living within a specific commercial or industrial field, se
everyone who makes a living within a specific commercial or industrial field, seen as a single body.
The trade is waiting to see how the new tax law will affect small publishers.
the trade: industry professionals as a collective group
News of the merger spread quickly through the trade long before the public heard it.
The book trade expects sales to rise during the holiday shopping season.
Kemi writes a monthly newsletter that keeps the trade informed about new regulations.
The fashion trade usually gathers in Milan and Paris for the spring shows.
- industry insiders
more informal; suggests exclusive knowledge
文法句型
the trade
the + adj + trade
用法筆記
Takes a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is seen as a unit ('the trade is…') or as individuals ('the trade are…'). American English prefers the singular verb; British English allows both.
5. an act of buying, selling, or exchanging something; a single deal or transaction
an act of buying, selling, or exchanging something; a single deal or transaction.
James made a good trade when he swapped his old bicycle for a newer model.
make a trade: complete an exchange
The two collectors agreed to a trade involving rare stamps from the 1920s.
Each trade on the stock market is recorded in the exchange's electronic system.
Aaron offered a fair trade: his camera for Sofie's laptop.
The children did a trade during lunch — Tara gave Wei her apple for his biscuits.
文法句型
a trade
make a trade
do a trade
用法筆記
Countable. Refers to a single instance of exchange, unlike sense 1 (BUYING AND SELLING) which is the general activity. Often used in informal contexts ('we did a trade') and in financial ones ('a block trade of shares').
常見錯誤
6. the regular customers of a particular shop, restaurant, or business.
the regular customers of a particular shop, restaurant, or business.
The bakery attracts a loyal trade from the neighbourhood where it opened.
a loyal trade: steady, returning customers
Baraka's shop depends on the lunchtime trade from office workers nearby.
The restaurant lost much of its trade after the new road blocked access to the street.
A coffee shop near a train station usually has a steady trade of morning commuters.
文法句型
someone's trade
the trade of + noun
用法筆記
Uncountable. Often used with adjectives like 'loyal', 'steady', 'brisk', or 'passing' to describe the type or volume of customers. Distinguish from sense 1 (BUYING AND SELLING), which is the activity, not the people.
7. a steady wind that blows from the east toward the west in the areas near the equ
a steady wind that blows from the east toward the west in the areas near the equator.
The trade winds carried the sailing ship across the Atlantic in just three weeks.
trade winds: easterly winds near the equator
Sailors have relied on the trades for centuries to cross the ocean.
The northeast trade winds bring dry weather to the islands during the winter.
Lien studied how the trade winds affect rainfall patterns in coastal areas.
A strong trade wind made the short flight between the islands feel quite bumpy.
- westerlies
winds that blow from west to east in the middle latitudes
文法句型
the trades
trade winds
用法筆記
Usually plural ('the trade winds' or simply 'the trades') because they are a system of multiple wind bands in both hemispheres. Singular 'a trade wind' is used when referring to one wind belt or a specific instance.
常見錯誤
traded — verb
- tradedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tradeds3rd person singular
- tradeding-ing form
- tradededpast simple
1. as a commercial activity, to exchange merchandise or perform services for paymen
as a commercial activity, to exchange merchandise or perform services for payment, especially across national boundaries.
The company trades coffee beans with farmers in Ethiopia and Colombia.
trade + noun + with + person/group
Thailand trades mainly in electronics, rice, and rubber products.
trade in + (products): specify what goods are bought and sold
Small vendors in the market were trading vegetables and fish before the rain started.
Omar has traded antique furniture with collectors across Europe for years.
The port grew busier as more ships arrived to trade along the coast.
文法句型
trade + noun (goods/products)
trade in + noun
trade with + noun
用法筆記
Can be transitive ('trade spices') or intransitive ('trade with a partner'). Use 'trade in' to specify the type of goods ('trade in handmade carpets') and 'trade with' to specify the partner ('trade with India').
常見錯誤
2. to purchase and sell company shares, bonds, or other financial products on a sto
to purchase and sell company shares, bonds, or other financial products on a stock exchange, usually aiming to earn money from price changes.
Adaeze trades technology shares on the Taipei stock exchange.
trade + shares + on + exchange
The company's shares are trading at two hundred dollars each this morning.
trade at + price: current market price
More than a million bonds were traded on the exchange during the first hour.
Nicholas trades currency pairs and precious metals through an online broker.
The stock traded lower after the company announced lower quarterly profits.
- deal in
slightly less formal; used in financial contexts
文法句型
trade + noun (shares, stock, bonds)
trade at + price
trade on + exchange
用法筆記
Very common in the passive ('were traded') and with adverbs describing price direction ('trade higher', 'trade flat'). Use 'trade on' for the exchange ('trade on the NYSE') and 'trade at' for the price ('trade at $50').
常見錯誤
❌ 'I traded Bitcoin yesterday and lost money.' — Acceptable in informal use, but formal financial English prefers 'I bought and sold Bitcoin' or 'I traded in Bitcoin' for clarity.
3. to hand something over to another person and receive a different item from them
to hand something over to another person and receive a different item from them in return; to swap things between two parties.
Eitan traded his old skateboard for a set of drawing pencils.
trade + old object + for + new object
The two friends traded phone numbers so they could stay in touch after the trip.
Rin traded seats with a passenger so a family could sit together on the plane.
Sofie traded her lunch for Wei's dessert because she prefers sweet things.
The museum traded three paintings with a gallery in exchange for a sculpture.
- keep
to hold on to something instead of giving it away
文法句型
trade + noun + for + noun
trade + noun + with + person
用法筆記
Often used in everyday situations ('trade seats', 'trade numbers') as well as formal ones. The preposition 'for' introduces what you receive; 'with' introduces who you exchange with. Distinguish from sense 1 (BUY AND SELL GOODS), which involves money; this sense involves barter or reciprocal giving.
常見錯誤
4. to say or direct things such as remarks, jokes, insults, or looks back and forth
to say or direct things such as remarks, jokes, insults, or looks back and forth between two or more people.
The two politicians traded insults during the televised debate last night.
trade insults: exchange negative remarks
Baraka and James traded stories about their travels through Southeast Asia.
trade stories: share personal narratives with each other
The children traded shy glances across the classroom during the exam.
Eleni and Manuela traded jokes while they were waiting for the bus.
The fans traded angry shouts after the referee made a controversial decision.
- exchange
more neutral; 'trade' often implies a back-and-forth sequence
文法句型
trade + noun (insults, jokes, stories, glances)
trade + noun + with + person
用法筆記
The object is usually a plural noun describing something exchanged verbally or non-verbally (insults, glances, jokes, stories, punches). The subject is always two or more parties who act on each other reciprocally.