noun
Common
eBay
EBay (noun) means a well-known online marketplace where people buy and sell items, often through auctions. Example: “He found a rare vinyl record on eBay for a fraction of the shop price.”
noun
1
A well-known online marketplace where people buy and sell items, often through auctions.
"He found a rare vinyl record on eBay for a fraction of the shop price."
verb
1
To sell or buy something through the eBay website.
"She decided to eBay her old comic book collection."
"I ended up eBaying most of the clothes I never wore."
How to use eBay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe online auction and shopping site, or, as a verb, to buy/sell something on it.
When to use it
The verb use ("to eBay something") is informal.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- eBays
- Past tense
- eBayed
Fill the gap
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He found a rare vinyl record on _____ for a fraction of the shop price.
Etymology
Originally short for "Echo Bay," the name of the consulting firm behind the site's early development; the "e-" also echoes the "electronic" prefix common to 1990s internet brands.
Rhymes for eBay
See all rhymes for eBay →Frequently asked questions
What does “eBay” mean?
The word “eBay” means a well-known online marketplace where people buy and sell items, often through auctions. In plain terms, the online auction and shopping site, or, as a verb, to buy/sell something on it.
How do you use “eBay” in a sentence?
Here is “eBay” used in a sentence: “He found a rare vinyl record on eBay for a fraction of the shop price.”
What part of speech is “eBay”?
Depending on how it is used, “eBay” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “eBay” come from?
The word “eBay” dates back to around 1990. Originally short for "Echo Bay," the name of the consulting firm behind the site's early development; the "e-" also echoes the "electronic" prefix common to 1990s internet brands.
Is “eBay” a common word?
“EBay” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “eBay” have?
“EBay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a well-known online marketplace where people buy and sell items, often through auctions.
How should eBay be capitalized?
The standard spelling is eBay, with a lowercase e and a capital B. At the start of a sentence many writers keep the branded form, though some style guides prefer rewording the sentence so it does not begin with a lowercase letter.
Can eBay be used as a verb?
Yes, informally. To eBay something means to sell it — or buy it — through the eBay website, as in "I eBayed my old records." Like many brand names turned into verbs, it belongs to casual speech rather than formal writing.
Is eBay only an auction site?
No. eBay is an online marketplace where people buy and sell items, and while auctions made it famous, listings can also be sold at fixed prices. The auction format is common but not the only way items change hands there.
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