First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1buy
verb \ˈbī\
: to get (something) by paying money for it
of money : to be able to get something
: to accept or believe (something) as true
bought \ˈbȯt\ buy·ing
Full Definition of BUY
transitive verb
1
: to acquire possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment especially of money : purchase
2
a : to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice <they bought peace with their freedom> b : redeem 6
4
: to be the purchasing equivalent of <the dollar buys less today than it used to>
intransitive verb
: to make a purchase
— buy·er \ˈbī(-ə)r\ noun
— buy into
: to purchase a portion of or interest in <the TV network bought into its local football team>
— buy it or buy the farm
: to get killed : die
— buy time
: to delay an imminent action or decision : stall
See buy defined for English-language learners
See buy defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of BUY
Middle English byen, from Old English bycgan; akin to Gothic bugjan to buy
Other Business Terms
2buy
noun
—used to describe something that is being sold
: an act of buying something
Full Definition of BUY
1
: something of value at a favorable price; especially : bargain <it's a real buy at that price>
2
: an act of buying : purchase
See buy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BUY
1879
Related to BUY
- Synonyms
- bargain, deal, pennyworth, snip [British], steal
Other Business Terms
BUYER Defined for Kids
1buy
verb \ˈbī\
bought \ˈbȯt\buy·ing
Definition of BUY for Kids
: to get by paying for : purchase
— buy·er noun
2buy
noun
Definition of BUY for Kids
: 1bargain 2 <I got a good buy at the grocery store.>
Learn More About BUY
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up buy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).