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furnish
/ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/
provide with furniture
They furnished the apartment with modern chairs and a sofa.
They decorated the apartment by adding chairs and a sofa.
formal
to supply or provide something needed, especially furniture for a room or building
The landlord furnished the apartment with basic appliances.
The landlord provided the apartment with essential appliances.
The hotel room is furnished with a desk and a comfortable bed.
The hotel room includes a desk and a comfortable bed as part of its setup.
Commonly used in real estate and interior design contexts.
formal
to provide or supply something abstract, such as information or evidence
The report furnished detailed evidence of the company's growth.
The report provided comprehensive evidence of the company's growth.
Often used in academic, legal, or business writing.
Collocations
furnish withprovide something with something elsefully furnisheda property that includes furniture and appliancesfurnish evidenceprovide proof or documentation
Pro Tip
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 'furnish' to mean 'decorate' unless furniture is specifically involved. 'Decorate' refers to adornment, while 'furnish' refers to supplying functional items.
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal Use
'Furnish' is formal. In casual speech, prefer 'provide,' 'supply,' or 'equip.'
Word Origin
From Middle English *fournisshen*, from Old French *fournir* (to furnish, provide), derived from Frankish *frumjan* (to promote, advance), related to Old High German *frummen* (to do, perform). The sense of supplying furniture emerged in the 16th century.
Usage Notes
Primarily used as a transitive verb. In real estate, 'furnished' often implies the inclusion of essential furniture and appliances. Avoid confusion with 'furnish' meaning to supply abstract items (e.g., evidence) unless in formal contexts.
Word Breakdown
furn-
to supply or provide
root-ish
verb-forming suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary