auction
Auction (noun) means a public sale in which goods or property are sold to whoever bids the highest price. Example: “The house went to auction and sold for well above the asking price.”
How to use auction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sale where buyers compete by offering higher and higher prices until one wins.
Word forms
auctioned past tense, auctions plural, auctions singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The house went to _____ and sold for well above the asking price.
Etymology
From Latin auctio, "an increase," from augere, "to increase" — because the price climbs as people bid.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for auction
Frequently asked questions
What does “auction” mean?
The word “auction” means a public sale in which goods or property are sold to whoever bids the highest price. In plain terms, a sale where buyers compete by offering higher and higher prices until one wins.
How do you pronounce “auction”?
“Auction” is pronounced AWK-shuhn (/ˈɔkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “auction” in a sentence?
Here is “auction” used in a sentence: “The house went to auction and sold for well above the asking price.”
What is another word for “auction”?
Words with a similar meaning to “auction” include roup sale.
What part of speech is “auction”?
Depending on how it is used, “auction” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “auction” come from?
The word “auction” comes from Latin. From Latin auctio, "an increase," from augere, "to increase" — because the price climbs as people bid.
Is “auction” a common word?
“Auction” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “auction” have?
“Auction” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a public sale in which goods or property are sold to whoever bids the highest price.
What is the difference between an auction and a regular sale?
In a regular sale, the seller sets a fixed price that buyers either pay or decline. In an auction, goods or property are sold to whoever bids the highest price, so the final amount is decided by competition among buyers rather than the seller.
What is the difference between an auction and a raffle?
An auction is a public sale where items go to the highest bidder, so the amount paid depends on competing bids. A raffle awards an item by random draw among ticket holders, so winning depends on chance rather than the amount offered.
What are common collocations with 'auction'?
'Auction' frequently appears in phrases such as 'put up for auction,' 'sell at auction,' 'auction house,' 'silent auction,' and 'live auction.' These describe the setting or method by which items are sold to the highest bidder.
Can 'auction' be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes. As a noun, an auction is a public sale in which goods go to the highest bidder. As a verb, to auction means to sell something at an auction, as in 'they auctioned the paintings.'