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Buying: meaning, definitions and examples

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buying

[หˆbaษชษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

shopping

The action of purchasing goods or services.

Synonyms

acquiring, purchasing, shopping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
buying

Used for general everyday transactions, often where the amount or item is not particularly significant or formal.

  • I am buying groceries for the week.
  • He is buying a new phone tomorrow.
purchasing

Tends to be more formal than 'buying', and is often used in business or financial contexts where more significant transactions are involved.

  • We are purchasing new equipment for the office.
  • The corporation is purchasing a large amount of raw materials.
acquiring

Used in more formal or business contexts, usually involving obtaining something with effort or over time, and not necessarily involving a monetary transaction.

  • She is acquiring new skills through her job.
  • The company is acquiring smaller startups to expand its market presence.
shopping

Usually refers to the activity of looking for and selecting items to buy, often used in the context of leisure or casual activity.

  • I enjoy shopping on weekends.
  • They went shopping for new clothes.

Examples of usage

  • I enjoy buying new clothes.
  • Online buying has become more popular recently.
Context #2 | Verb

transaction

Obtain in exchange for payment.

Synonyms

acquire, procure, purchase.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
purchase

Typically used in formal or written contexts. It means to buy something and emphasizes the transaction aspect. It is common in business and commercial language.

  • They decided to purchase a new property
  • You can purchase tickets online
acquire

Used in more formal or professional contexts. It implies obtaining or gaining possession of something, often over time and through effort or investment.

  • The company acquired new technology to enhance its productivity
  • He acquired a taste for classical music during his studies
procure

Used in formal business or legal contexts to describe the process of obtaining something, especially with effort or careful planning. It often implies difficulty or special means.

  • The government agency procured the necessary equipment for the project
  • She managed to procure a rare piece of art for the gallery

Examples of usage

  • I am buying a new car next week.
  • She bought a ticket for the concert.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Old English word 'bycgan', which means to 'purchase' or 'make a payment'.
  • Related words in other languages show connections, like the German 'kaufen' and the Dutch 'kopen', all meaning 'to buy'.

Economics

  • Buying goods stimulates the economy by creating demand, which can lead to job creation.
  • The concept of buying is central to capitalist economies, where supply and demand dictate prices.

Psychology

  • Studies show that the act of buying can trigger feelings of happiness and reward in the brain, often referred to as 'retail therapy'.
  • People often make purchasing decisions based on emotions rather than logic, illustrating the impact of marketing.

Culture

  • Different cultures have unique traditions around buying, such as bargaining in markets which is common in many countries.
  • Gift-giving is a form of buying that holds significant cultural importance during holidays and celebrations.

Technology

  • The rise of e-commerce has changed how we buy, allowing purchases with just a few clicks online.
  • Mobile apps now offer easy ways to buy goods, shifting traditional buying from physical stores to digital platforms.

Translations

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Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,527, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.