bidding
BIH-dihng
Bidding (noun) means a command or instruction someone has been given. Example: “The assistant did the manager's bidding without question.”
noun
1
A command or instruction someone has been given.
"The assistant did the manager's bidding without question."
"The genie promised to do my bidding for exactly three wishes."
"The soldiers were trained to follow the captain's bidding at once."
2
The act of making offers of price, especially at an auction.
"Bidding for the antique clock started at fifty dollars."
"Bidding became fast and noisy once two collectors wanted the same painting."
"Online bidding closes at midnight, so set a limit before you start."
How to use bidding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither following someone's orders, or the process of offering prices at auction.
Common pairings
do someone's bidding
competitive bidding
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Word forms
- Plural
- biddings
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The assistant did the manager's _____ without question.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bidding
See all rhymes for bidding →Frequently asked questions
What does “bidding” mean?
The word “bidding” means a command or instruction someone has been given. In plain terms, either following someone's orders, or the process of offering prices at auction.
How do you pronounce “bidding”?
“Bidding” is pronounced BIH-dihng (/ˈbɪdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bidding” in a sentence?
Here is “bidding” used in a sentence: “The assistant did the manager's bidding without question.”
What part of speech is “bidding”?
“Bidding” is a noun.
Is “bidding” a common word?
“Bidding” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bidding” have?
“Bidding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a command or instruction someone has been given.
What is the difference between bidding and an order?
Bidding, in the sense of a command someone has been given, and an order both refer to instructions to be followed, but bidding often implies acting on someone's wishes or will, as in "do their bidding," while order is more direct and formal. Bidding also has a separate meaning tied to auctions that order does not share.
How does bidding at an auction work?
Bidding at an auction refers to the act of making offers of price, with participants raising their offers until the highest bid wins the item. The process continues until no higher offer is made.
