Etimology
From Middle English byen, from Old English bycġan (“to buy, pay for, acquire, redeem, ransom, procure, get done, sell”), from Proto-West Germanic *buggjan, from Proto-Germanic *bugjaną (“to buy”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰūgʰ- (“to bend”), or from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewgʰ- (“to take away, deliver”). Cognate with Scots buy (“to buy, purchase”), obsolete Dutch beugen (“to buy”), Old Saxon buggian, buggean (“to buy”), Old Norse byggja (“to build, settle”), Gothic 𐌱𐌿𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (bugjan, “to buy”). The spelling with “u” is from the Southwest, while the pronunciation with /aɪ/ is from the East Midlands.
verb
buy (third-person singular simple present buys, present participle buying, simple past bought, past participle bought or (archaic, rare, dialectal) boughten)
(transitive, ditransitive) To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods.
(transitive, ditransitive) To obtain, especially by some sacrifice.
(transitive, archaic) To suffer consequences for (something) through being deprived of something; to pay for (something one has done).
(transitive) To bribe.
(transitive) To be equivalent to in value.
(transitive, informal) to accept as true; to believe
(intransitive) To make a purchase or purchases, to treat (for a drink, meal or gift)
(poker slang, transitive) To make a bluff, usually a large one.
Examples
I'm going to buy my father something nice for his birthday.
Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou wilt sell thy necessaries.
I've bought material comfort by foregoing my dreams.
You just bought yourself an assault charge!
Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
VVhat villaine, doſt ſtrike me? I ſweare by the rood,As I am Iacke Strawe, thou ſhalt buy it with thy blood.
He tried to buy me with gifts, but I wouldn't give up my beliefs.
The dollar doesn't buy as much as it used to.
I'm not going to buy your stupid excuses anymore!
People like to say that dead people look asleep, and maybe she would have bought that under different circumstances.
She buys for Federated.
Let's go out for dinner. I'm buying.
Smith tried to buy the pot on the river with a huge bluff
Related words
synonyms
(obtain in exchange for money): cheap (obsolete), purchase
(accept as true): accept, believe, swallow (informal), take on
((intransitive) make a purchase): make a buy
antonyms
(antonym(s) of "obtain in exchange for money"): cheap (obsolete), sell, vend
(antonym(s) of "accept as true"): disbelieve, reject, pitch
related terms
aby
noun
buy (plural buys)
Something which is bought; a purchase.
Examples
At only $30, the second-hand kitchen table was a great buy.
Related words
antonyms
sale