purchase
PURT-shihs
Purchase (verb) means to buy something by paying money for it. Example: “She purchased a new laptop for work.”
verb
1
To buy something by paying money for it.
"She purchased a new laptop for work."
"They purchased the house after months of saving."
"Customers can purchase tickets online or at the station desk."
noun
1
Something bought, or the act of buying it.
"Keep the receipt in case you need to return your purchase."
"Her latest purchase was a pair of walking boots for the trip."
"Online shops usually email you a receipt after each purchase."
2
A firm grip or mechanical hold used to move or lift something heavy.
"The climber struggled to get a purchase on the icy rock face."
"The tyres found no purchase on the wet mud, so the van slid backwards."
"He wrapped the rope round a post to get a better purchase before pulling."
How to use purchase
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo buy something, or (less commonly) to get a firm grip or hold on something.
When to use it
More formal than "buy" — common in business, legal, and financial writing.
Common pairings
purchase price
make a purchase
gain purchase on
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Word forms
- Plural
- purchases
- Third person singular
- purchases
- Past tense
- purchased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ a new laptop for work.
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."
Related words
Rhymes for purchase
See all rhymes for 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.
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