buy
10 synonyms and 10 antonyms for buy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To get something by paying money for it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use buy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English bycgan ("to buy, pay for, acquire"), an ancient Germanic verb with no certain root beyond that.
Full origin of buy →Frequently asked questions
What does “buy” mean?
The word “buy” means to get something by paying money for it. In plain terms, to purchase something with money, or informally, to believe a claim.
How do you pronounce “buy”?
“Buy” is pronounced beye ([baɪ] in IPA).
How do you use “buy” in a sentence?
Here is “buy” used in a sentence: “I need to buy groceries before the shops close.”
What is another word for “buy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “buy” include make a buy, aby, procure and snap up.
What is the opposite of “buy”?
The opposite of “buy” — its antonyms — are cheap, sell, disbelieve, vend and reject.
What part of speech is “buy”?
Depending on how it is used, “buy” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “buy” come from?
The word “buy” comes from Old English. From Old English bycgan ("to buy, pay for, acquire"), an ancient Germanic verb with no certain root beyond that.
Is “buy” a common word?
“Buy” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between buy and purchase?
Both mean to get something by paying for it, and they are usually interchangeable. Buy is the everyday, informal word — buy milk, buy a car. Purchase is more formal and common in business or writing — purchase an item, terms of purchase. Purchase can also work as a noun for the thing bought.
What is the difference between buy, by and bye?
They sound alike but differ in meaning. 'Buy' means to pay money for something. 'By' is a preposition showing who, how or where — written by hand, stand by me. 'Bye' is a short goodbye, or a free pass in a tournament. Only buy involves spending money.
What is the opposite of buy?
The opposite of buy is sell — to give something away in exchange for money rather than paying to receive it. Related opposites include vend and trade away. Where buying makes you the customer handing over money, selling puts you on the other side of the deal, taking it in.
Can you buy something without money?
In the strict sense, buying means paying money, so a purchase involves cash, card or another form of currency. Getting goods without money is usually called bartering, trading or receiving a gift instead. Figuratively, though, we say people 'buy into' an idea, meaning they accept it — no money changes hands there.
