bidder
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who offers to pay a certain price for something being sold.
an individual or organization that offers a specific price for an item or service, particularly at an auction or during a competitive sale.
Simple“The highest bidder won the painting for over one million dollars.”
In context“After a tense round of negotiations, the property was finally sold to a private bidder who remained anonymous throughout the process.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'the highest bidder'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a company that offers to do a job for a specific price.
a firm or contractor that submits a formal proposal to provide goods or services at a stated price.
Simple“Several bidders are competing for the contract to build the new bridge.”
In context“The government agency invited three pre-qualified bidders to submit their final technical and financial proposals for the infrastructure project.”
UsageCommon in procurement and corporate law contexts.
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
someone who gives an order or command.
a person who issues a command, order, or instruction.
Simple“The soldiers waited for the word of their bidder before moving forward.”
In context“In the old stories, the spirit was bound to follow the will of its bidder without question.”
UsageRare in modern speech; usually found in historical or poetic texts.
From Middle English bidder, biddere, equivalent to bid + -er. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Bidder, German Bitter.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.