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verb

furnish

FUR-nihsh
verb
1
To equip a room or building with furniture.
"They furnished the new apartment with second-hand pieces from the market."
2
To supply or provide something needed.
"The witness was asked to furnish evidence supporting her claim."
"The hotel furnishes guests with fresh towels daily."

How to Use Furnish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo provide furniture for a space, or more broadly to supply something that is needed.

When to use it

The "supply/provide" sense is fairly formal, common in legal or official writing.

Common pairings
furnish a room furnish details fully furnished

Word Forms

furnished past tense, furnishes plural, Furnishes plural, furnishes singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They _____ the new apartment with second-hand pieces from the market.

Etymology

From Old French furnir/fornir, from a Frankish root meaning "to complete" or "to further/promote."

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial