First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
furnish
verb fur·nish \ˈfər-nish\
: to provide (a room or building) with furniture
: to supply or give (something) to someone or something
: to supply or give to (someone) something that is needed or wanted
Full Definition of FURNISH
transitive verb
1
: to provide with what is needed; especially : to equip with furniture
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Origin 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 — more at foremost
Related to FURNISH
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with FURNISH
FURNISH Defined for Kids
furnish
verb fur·nish \ˈfər-nish\
fur·nishedfur·nish·ing
Definition of FURNISH for Kids
1
: to provide with furniture <furnish a house>
2
: to provide with what is needed <“I'm going to give you all a nice quiet cell—unless you furnish bail.” — Richard and Florence Atwater, Mr. Popper's Penguins>
3
: to supply to someone or something <We'll furnish food for the party.>
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