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1

buy

play
verb \ˈbī\

Definition of buy

bought

play \ˈbȯt\;

buying
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to acquire possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment especially of money :  purchase buy a car buying stock in the company bought us dinner

  3. 2a :  to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice They bought peace with their freedom.b Christianity :  redeem 6 bought us with his blood

  4. 3 :  bribe, hire buy a public official

  5. 4 :  to be the purchasing equivalent of The dollar buys less today than it used to.

  6. 5 :  accept, believe I don't buy that hooey. —often used with into buy into a compromise

  7. intransitive verb

  8. :  to make a purchase Now is a good time to buy.

buyer

play \ˈbī(-ə)r\ noun

buy into

  1. :  to purchase a portion of or interest in the TV network bought into its local football team

buy it

or

buy the farm

  1. :  to get killed :  die

buy time

  1. :  to delay an imminent action or decision :  stall

See buy defined for English-language learners

See buy defined for kids

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Examples of buy in a Sentence

  1. I bought this hat for $10.

  2. He bought the quilt from a local artist.

  3. Stock prices are low, so now is a good time to buy.

  4. He said it was a mistake, but I don't buy it.

Origin and Etymology of buy

Middle English byen, from Old English bycgan; akin to Goth bugjan to buy


First Known Use: before 12th century

buy Synonyms

Synonyms
cop [slang], pick up, purchase, take
Antonyms
disbelieve, discredit, reject
Related Words
acquire, gain, garner, get, obtain, procure, secure, win; finance, pay (for), spring (for); barter (for), deal (for), dicker (over), exchange (for), haggle (for), negotiate (about), trade (for); bargain (with), chaffer (with), horse-trade (with), palter (with); bid, offer; rebuy, repurchase
Near Antonyms
deal (in), market, merchandise (also merchandize), retail, sell, vend

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

2

buy

noun

Definition of buy

  1. 1 :  something of value at a favorable price; especially :  bargain It's a real buy at that price.

  2. 2 :  an act of acquiring possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of something by payment especially of money :  an act of buying (see 1buy 1) :  purchase an undercover drug buy

See buy defined for English-language learners

Examples of buy in a Sentence

  1. four cartons of ice cream for four dollars is a real buy

Origin and Etymology of buy

see 1buy


First Known Use: 1879

buy Synonyms

Synonyms
bargain, deal, pennyworth, snip [British], steal
Related Words
clearance, closeout, markdown; cheapie; bonus, freebie (or freebee), gift, giveaway, premium, present; boon, windfall
Near Antonyms
gouging, overcharge, rip-off, soaking; markup, surcharge; extravagance, luxury

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Phrases Related to BUY

Related Phrases

BUY Defined for English Language Learners

buy

play
verb

Definition of buy for English Language Learners

  • : to get (something) by paying money for it

  • of money : to be able to get something

  • : to accept or believe (something) as true

buy

noun

Definition of buy for English Language Learners

  • —used to describe something that is being sold

  • : an act of buying something

BUY Defined for Kids

1

buy

play
verb \ˈbī\

Definition of buy for Students

bought

\ˈbȯt\;

buying

  1. :  to get by paying for :  purchase

buyer

noun
2

buy

play
noun

Definition of buy for Students

  1. :  1bargain 2 I got a good buy at the grocery store.

Learn More about buy

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for buy Spanish Central: Translation of buy Nglish: Translation of buy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of buy for Arabic speakers

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Examples: buy in a Sentence