To sell something by holding an auction, where buyers bid and the highest bidder wins.
To sell something where people take turns saying how much they'll pay, and whoever offers the most money gets it.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To sell something at a public auction where people compete by bidding.
"The gallery auctioned off a rare Picasso sketch for over two million dollars."
The Beatles' original contract was auctioned off for nearly £290,000.
— BBC News, widely reported auction story
To dispose of assets, especially unwanted or surplus property, through an auction process.
"The company auctioned off its remaining equipment after going into administration."
To auction something and send it off (away from the owner).
To sell something where people take turns saying how much they'll pay, and whoever offers the most money gets it.
Commonly used in news, business, and legal contexts. The particle 'off' suggests finality — the item is definitively removed from the owner's possession. Often used when clearing estates, liquidating assets, or raising money for charity.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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