Buy is a common English word with several meanings. Most often, it meanshas the sense or significance of to get something by paying for it. It can also mean to acceptbelieve something is true without doubt something as true, to bribepay money illegally to influence a person someone, or to be worth a certain amount.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /baɪ/
Easy pronunciation: BUY (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the whole word.
Verb meaning to obtain by purchase; acquire by paying money.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Buy Meaning
to get something by paying money for it
Part of speech: verb
Definition: obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
Example: I need to buy a new phone this weekend.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- purchase — Formal or neutral synonym for getting something by paying for it.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Buy
Meaning 2
to bribe someone
Part of speech: verb
Definition: make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence
Example: He tried to buy the official's support.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- bribe — Direct synonym in the sense of paying illegally for favor or influence.
- corrupt — Can work in this sense, but it is less direct and often describes the person or system rather than the act itself.
- grease one's palms — Idiomatic synonym meaning to bribe, though it is informal.
Meaning 3
something that is cheap for what it offers
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an advantageous purchase
Example: At that price, the laptop was a real buy.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- bargain — Strong synonym for something purchased at a very good price.
Meaning 4
to believe something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: accept as true
Example: I don't buy that excuse.
Meaning 5
to get something by giving up something else
Part of speech: verb
Definition: acquire by trade or sacrifice or exchange
Example: He hoped to buy her trust with honesty and patience.
Meaning 6
to be enough money to pay for something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: be worth or be capable of buying
Example: That amount will buy you dinner and a taxi home.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Buy Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- purchase
make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence
- bribe
- corrupt
- grease one's palms
an advantageous purchase
- bargain
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Don't confuse buy with sell, which means to give something away for money.
- Don't use buy for every meaning of get; some senses are more specific, such as bribe or persuade.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main meaning of buy?
The main meaning of buy is to get something by paying money for it.
Is buy the same as purchase?
Yes, purchase is a close synonym, but it sounds a bit more formal.
Can buy mean believe?
Yes. In informal English, buy can mean accept something as true, as in I don't buy that story.
What is a buy as a noun?
As a noun, a buy is something bought at a good price.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
