provide
/prəˈvaɪd/
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Type
Verb
Meaning
To give someone something that they need or want, or to make something available.
The hotel provides free breakfast for all guests.
To give someone the money, food, and other things they need to live (used with 'for').
He works two jobs to provide for his family.
How it's used
When this means “the thing comes first, followed by 'for' or 'to'”
- provide + thing + for/to + person
The school provides lunch for every student.
When this means “the person comes first, followed by 'with'”
- provide + person + with + thing
The guide provided us with maps.
When this means “support a person with money and basic needs”
- provide for + person
Parents work hard to provide for their kids.
When this means “sets a condition; similar to 'as long as'”
- provided (that) + clause
We'll eat outside, provided the weather is nice.
Collocations
- provide information
- provide support
- provide care
- provide an example
- provide a service
- provide for a family