buy
verb (transitive)
UK/baɪ/US/baɪ/
To acquire something by paying money for it.
Example Sentences
I plan to buy a new laptop during the holiday sale.
She wants to buy fresh vegetables from the local farmers’ market.
They decided to buy property overseas for investment purposes.
He used his savings to buy his first car last year.
You can buy online tickets for the concert at a discounted rate.
My brother told me not to buy things I don’t really need.
After comparing different insurance plans, he finally decided to buy the comprehensive policy that offered the best coverage for his family’s needs.
The couple had saved diligently for several years, and their dream to buy a cozy cottage near the countryside eventually became a reality when they closed the deal last month.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
noun (countable)
UK/baɪ/US/baɪ/
A purchase; something acquired by paying money, often implying a good deal or bargain.
Example Sentences
That car was a great buy considering its low mileage and excellent condition.
She found a fantastic buy at the thrift store: a designer coat for half the retail price.
I’m not sure if it was a wise buy, but I really liked the brand-new phone’s features.
They declared this gadget the best buy of the month in a consumer review magazine.
When a product goes on clearance sale, it can turn into an excellent buy if you act quickly.
He’s always on the lookout for a good buy on antique furniture.
After extensive research and reading countless reviews, the laptop he ended up with was hailed by many as the best buy of the year, offering top-notch performance at an affordable price.
Though she hesitated at first, it turned out that the art piece she purchased was a remarkable buy, growing in value significantly within just a few months.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Obtain something by paying money or other compensation.This verb is commonly used to describe the act of exchanging payment, often money, for goods or services. You might say, “I’ll buy groceries after work,” or “She bought a new phone online.” In both everyday and formal contexts, it clearly indicates an economic transaction. When you use “buy,” be precise about what is being purchased and possibly mention the reason or context—like necessity, preference, or investment. In business or more technical settings, it can also encompass the idea of procurement or acquisition (“The company bought new software licenses”). When discussing finances, you might break down how to pay for a purchase, such as using cash, credit, or installments. To add nuance, you can specify the level of commitment, such as “buy into” an idea or plan, which introduces a figurative sense of agreement or acceptance. Keeping context in mind will help you use “buy” effectively, whether you’re focusing on casual shopping, significant investments, or metaphorical expressions. It’s a straightforward yet versatile verb that enables clear, direct communication of a financial action or a conceptual agreement in varied circumstances.
Alternatives
If you’d like to avoid overusing “buy,” consider synonyms such as “purchase,” “acquire,” or “obtain.” “Purchase” is slightly more formal and common in business contexts—“He decided to purchase a new laptop.” “Acquire” can stress the process of obtaining something, possibly over time or through negotiation, as in “The museum acquired a rare painting.” “Obtain” is more general and often used in academic or professional discourse, e.g., “She obtained the necessary permits before starting construction.” Other casual alternatives include “pick up” (“I’ll pick up some milk”), which implies a small or routine transaction. Meanwhile, “invest in” can communicate a larger financial commitment or figurative support (“We should invest in better technology for our office”). Selecting the right synonym helps maintain precision while avoiding repetition. In more expressive contexts, you might use phrases like “treat yourself to” for an indulgent connotation. By varying your vocabulary to suit the situation—casual, business, or metaphorical—you can keep your language engaging, accurate, and suitably nuanced.
Writing
When writing about purchases or transactions, it’s important to establish the context, such as the reason for buying or the impact of the purchase. For instance, in business reports, you might detail how much the organization spent, why a certain item or service was necessary, and how the decision supports broader goals. In fiction, references to what a character decides to buy can reveal aspects of their personality, financial status, or emotional state: “She spent her last savings to buy a ticket out of town.” If you are composing persuasive text, explaining the benefits of buying a product or service can help readers see the value: “By buying from local farmers, you support sustainable practices and the community economy.” Whether it’s a minor everyday action or a more significant investment, using descriptive language—specifying what, why, and how—can help readers fully grasp the implications of the transaction. Balance clarity and detail so the act of buying complements your larger narrative or argument without overshadowing it. A well-placed mention of a purchase can spotlight motive, highlight growth, or set a scene that resonates with readers.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “buy” is straightforward for discussing everyday shopping and personal finance. You might say, “I need to buy groceries,” or, “They’re planning to buy a car next month.” This simplicity keeps exchanges easy to follow and helps convey practical information. You can also incorporate expressions that show eagerness or hesitation, like “I can’t wait to buy that new video game,” or “I’m still deciding whether to buy the VIP pass.” Phrasing like “buy into it” can shift the focus from literal transactions to belief or acceptance, as when you say, “I’m not ready to buy into that idea.” This figurative usage keeps daily chats interesting, bridging tangible and intangible concepts. When recommending places or products to friends, you can say, “You should buy this brand of coffee—it’s really good,” which feels more personal than formal. Remember to gauge how much detail your listener wants: if it’s just a quick mention of running errands, say, “I’m off to buy groceries,” but if they seem curious, expand on where, why, or how you plan to shop. Overall, “buy” fits naturally into everyday dialogues about immediate needs, future plans, or personal preferences.
Etymology
The modern English word “buy” originates from the Old English term “bycgan,” which is traced further back to the Proto-Germanic root *bugjan. Early uses encompassed making a settlement or bargaining for goods, underscoring a fundamental concept of exchanging resources. As trade systems evolved and currency became widespread, “buy” naturally adapted to denote purchasing with money rather than bartering goods or labor. Historical records show its usage shifting from simple commercial transactions to broader contexts, including idiomatic expressions about accepting ideas or investing support. Over centuries, as commerce and mercantile activities expanded, “buy” maintained its fundamental meaning of procuring something through an agreed exchange, while branching out metaphorically into domains like agreement (“buying into a theory”). This evolution mirrors both linguistic change and the growing complexity of economic and social structures. Despite its long history, the core notion remains straightforward—acquiring something by giving something else in return—and it remains a foundational term in any language dealing with goods, services, and the power of trade.
