buy

Meaning

Verb

1. (ditransitive, transitive) To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods.
2. (ditransitive, transitive) To obtain, especially by some sacrifice.
3. (archaic, transitive) To suffer consequences for (something) through being deprived of something; to pay for (something one has done).
4. (transitive) To bribe.
5. (transitive) To be equivalent to in value.
6. (informal, transitive) to accept as true; to believe
7. (intransitive) To make a purchase or purchases, to treat (for a drink, meal or gift)
8. (slang, transitive) To make a bluff, usually a large one.

Noun

Something which is bought; a purchase.

Synonyms

purchase

🛍️

sell

get

acquire

take

bribe

barter

trade

obtain

procure

take over

acquisition

corrupt

gain

taking over

shop

grease one’s palms

catch

buy up

pay

💸

secure

shopping

🛍️

bargain

hold

dispend

shop for

go shopping

swallow

lay in stock

buying

find

🔍

sale

exchange

bazaar

spend

pay out

pay for

receive

market

expend

marketplace

fetch

redeem

steal

credit

crank

bidder

contract

bet

bag

Translations

acheter

🛍️

comprar

🛍️

kaufen

🛍️

comprare

🛍️

comprar

🛍️

kopen

🛍️

acquistare

comprar

🛍️

αγοράζω

aanschaffen

🛍️

emere

acquérir

achat

🛍️

comperare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/baɪ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: byen

Inherited from Old English: bycġan

Cognate with Scots: buy

Cognate with Dutch: beugen

Cognate with Old Saxon: buggian

Cognate with Old Norse: byggja

Cognate with Gothic: 𐌱𐌿𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽

In summary

From Middle English byen, from Old English bycġan (“to buy, pay for, acquire, redeem, ransom, procure, get done, sell”), from Proto-West Germanic *buggjan, from Proto-Germanic *bugjaną (“to buy”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰūgʰ- (“to bend”), or from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewgʰ- (“to take away, deliver”).
Cognate with Scots buy (“to buy, purchase”), obsolete Dutch beugen (“to buy”), Old Saxon buggian, buggean (“to buy”), Old Norse byggja (“to build, settle”), Gothic 𐌱𐌿𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (bugjan, “to buy”). The spelling with “u” is from the Southwest, while the pronunciation with /aɪ/ is from the East Midlands.

Sentences

I will think about what to buy .

He could sell the stones and buy a return ticket .

A filing case is now hard to buy .

Apartments are the personal spaces Avakins can buy .

Costco and Best Buy are well-known companies that employ this tactic .