Buy
Origin
From Middle English byen, biggen, buggen, from Old English bycÄ¡an ("to buy, pay for, acquire, redeem, ransom, procure, get done, sell"), from Proto-Germanic *bugjanÄ… ("to buy"), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bhÅ«gh- ("to bend"), or from Proto-Indo-European *bheugh- ("to take away, deliver"). Cognate with Scots by ("to buy, purchase"), Old Saxon buggian, buggean ("to buy"), Old Norse byggja ("to procure a wife, lend at interest, let out"), Gothic ðŒ±ðŒ¿ðŒ²ðŒ¾ðŒ°ðŒ½ (bugjan, "to buy").
Full definition of buy
Verb
- (transitive) To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goodsI'm going to buy my father something nice for his birthday.
- Benjamin FranklinBuy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou wilt sell thy necessaries.
- (transitive) To obtain by some sacrifice.I've bought material comfort by foregoing my dreams.
- Bible, Proverbs xxiii. 23Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
- (transitive) To bribe.He tried to buy me with gifts, but I wouldn't give up my beliefs.
- (transitive) To be equivalent to in value.The dollar doesn't buy as much as it used to.'
- (transitive, informal) to accept as true; to believeI'm not going to buy your stupid excuses anymore!
- (intransitive) To make a purchase or purchases, to treat (for a meal)She buys for Federated.Let's go out for dinner. I'm buying.
- (poker slang, transitive) To make a bluff, usually a large one.Smith tried to buy the pot on the river with a huge bluff
Synonyms
Antonyms
- (obtain (something) in exchange for money) sell, vend
- (accept as true) disbelieve, reject, pitch
Derived terms
Related terms
Noun
buy
(plural buys)- Something which is bought; a purchase.At only $30, the second-hand kitchen table was a great buy.