purchase
1 antonyms and opposites of purchase, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To buy something by paying money for it.
Antonyms
How to use purchase
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
More formal than "buy" — common in business, legal, and financial writing.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman purchacer ("to seek to obtain"), from Old French pur- (from Latin pro-, "forth") plus chacier ("to chase"). Its root sense was "to pursue and get," which narrowed over time to mean "to buy."
Full origin of purchase →Frequently asked questions
What does “purchase” mean?
The word “purchase” means to buy something by paying money for it. In plain terms, to buy something, or (less commonly) to get a firm grip or hold on something.
How do you pronounce “purchase”?
“Purchase” is pronounced PURT-shihs (/ˈpɜɹ.tʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “purchase” in a sentence?
Here is “purchase” used in a sentence: “She purchased a new laptop for work.”
What is another word for “purchase”?
Words with a similar meaning to “purchase” include emption.
What is the opposite of “purchase”?
The opposite of “purchase” — its antonyms — is sale.
What part of speech is “purchase”?
Depending on how it is used, “purchase” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “purchase” come from?
The word “purchase” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman purchacer ("to seek to obtain"), from Old French pur- (from Latin pro-, "forth") plus chacier ("to chase"). Its root sense was "to pursue and get," which narrowed over time to mean "to buy.".
Is “purchase” a common word?
“Purchase” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'purchase' and 'buy'?
They mean the same thing — to obtain something by paying for it. 'Purchase' is the more formal word, at home in business, legal, and written contexts. 'Buy' is the everyday, conversational term. You would buy milk at the shop but purchase a house or a company.
Is 'purchase' formal or informal?
'Purchase' is the more formal of the two common words for buying. It suits business, legal documents, receipts, and careful writing, whereas 'buy' feels more natural in everyday speech. Choosing 'purchase' tends to make a sentence sound more official or precise, which is why shops and contracts favor it.
What is the difference between 'purchase' and 'acquire'?
To purchase is specifically to obtain something by paying money for it. To acquire is broader: you can acquire something by buying it, but also as a gift, through inheritance, or by effort. Every purchase is an acquisition, but you can acquire things without ever purchasing them.