- 1
To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods.ditransitivetransitive
- Who'd Father buy the car for? He bought it for me, not for you.
- 2
To obtain, especially by some sacrifice.ditransitivetransitive
- I've bought material comfort by foregoing my dreams.
- You just bought yourself an assault charge!
- 3
To suffer consequences for (something) through being deprived of something; to pay for (something one has done).archaictransitive
- VVhat villaine, doſt ſtrike me? I ſweare by the rood, As I am Iacke Strawe, thou ſhalt buy it with thy blood.
- 4
To bribe.transitive
- He tried to buy me with gifts, but I wouldn't give up my beliefs.
- 5
To be equivalent to in value.transitive
- The dollar doesn't buy as much as it used to.
- 6
to accept as true; to believeinformaltransitive
- I'm not going to buy your stupid excuses anymore!
- 7
To make a purchase or purchases, to treat (for a drink, meal or gift)intransitive
- She buys for Federated.
- Let's go out for dinner. I'm buying.
- 8
To make a bluff, usually a large one.slangtransitive
- Smith tried to buy the pot on the river with a huge bluff.
syn. aby · buy · procure · snap up
ant. cheap · sell · vend · disbelieve · reject · pitch · barter · pay