purchase

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.

“Purchase” is pronounced PURT-shihs (/ˈpɜɹ.tʃəs/ in IPA).

Here is “purchase” used in a sentence: “She purchased a new laptop for work.”

Words with a similar meaning to “purchase” include emption.

The opposite of “purchase” — its antonyms — is sale.

Depending on how it is used, “purchase” can be a verb and a noun.

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.".

“Purchase” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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.

'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.

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.