Purchase — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈpər-chəs/ pur·chase

Meaning & Definition of Purchase

Purchase (verb)

  1. to obtain by paying money or its equivalent, buy
  2. to acquire (real estate) by means other than descent
  3. to obtain by labor, danger, or sacrifice

Purchase (noun)

  1. an act or instance of purchasing
  2. something obtained especially for a price in money or its equivalent
  3. an advantage (such as a firm hold or position) used in applying one's power

Purchase (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for

    "I need to purchase a new heavy coat"

    similar: buy, cop (slang), pick up, take
    related: acquire, gain, garner, get, obtain, procure, secure, win, finance, pay (for), spring (for), barter (for), deal (for), dicker (over), exchange (for), haggle (for), negotiate (about), trade (for), bargain (with), chaffer (with), horse-trade (with), palter (with), bid, offer, rebuy, repurchase
    near: deal (in), market, merchandise, retail, sell, vend

Purchase (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in leverage, anchorage

    similar: anchorage, leverage, clasp, clench, grapple, grasp, grip, handgrip, handhold, hold, grab, seizure, foothold, footing, toehold, clinch, embrace, hug
    opposite: release, relinquishment

  2. as in sale, deal

    similar: deal, sale, trade, transaction, bargain, buy, steal, garage sale, jumble sale (British), rummage sale, tag sale, yard sale, clearance, closeout, fire sale, auction, silent auction, haggle, horse-trading, negotiation, fair

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Purchase

The most common words with a similar meaning to Purchase:

Slang: cop
British: jumble sale
buy, pick up, take, anchorage, leverage, clasp, clench, grapple, grasp, grip, handgrip, handhold, hold, grab, seizure, foothold, footing, toehold, clinch, embrace, hug, deal, sale, trade, transaction, bargain, steal, garage sale, rummage sale, tag sale, yard sale, clearance, closeout, fire sale, auction, silent auction, haggle, horse-trading, negotiation, fair

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Purchase

Words with the opposite meaning of Purchase:

release, relinquishment

Related Words for Purchase

acquire, gain, garner, get, obtain, procure, secure, win, finance, pay (for), spring (for), barter (for), deal (for), dicker (over), exchange (for), haggle (for), negotiate (about), trade (for), bargain (with), chaffer (with), horse-trade (with), palter (with), bid, offer, rebuy, repurchase

Near Antonyms of Purchase

deal (in), market, merchandise, retail, sell, vend

Word Forms of Purchase

Inflections: purchased, purchasing

Derived words: purchasable (adjective), purchaser (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Purchase

Middle English purchacen, from Anglo-French purchacer to strive for, obtain, from por-, pur- thoroughly, to a conclusion (from Latin pro- forward, for) + chacer to pursue, chase pro-

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Purchase

Words & Phrases Containing Purchase

purchase order, purchase price, hire purchase, point-of-purchase, proof of purchase, prepurchase

Frequently Asked Questions about Purchase

What does "Purchase" mean?

"Purchase" means to obtain by paying money or its equivalent, buy. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to obtain by paying money or its equivalent, buy. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Purchase"?

Other words for "Purchase" include buy, cop, pick up, take, anchorage, leverage, clasp and clench. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Purchase" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Purchase"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Purchase". Common alternatives include buy, cop, pick up, take, anchorage, leverage, clasp, clench, grapple and grasp.

What is the opposite of "Purchase"?

Antonyms of "Purchase" include release and relinquishment. Near antonyms include deal (in), market, merchandise and retail.

How do you use "Purchase" in a sentence?

Examples of "Purchase" in a sentence: "I need to purchase a new heavy coat".

Is "Purchase" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Purchase" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Purchase" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Purchase" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Purchase"?

"Purchase" is pronounced /ˈpər-chəs/ and divided into syllables as pur·chase.