# bought

/ˈbɑt/ (US) · /bˈɔːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bought
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. past tense of buy

verb · CEFR A1

the past form of 'buy'. You use this to say you paid for something in the past.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of 'buy'. It is a transitive verb requiring a direct object representing the item or service acquired.

- I bought some fresh bread and milk from the shop this morning.
- She bought the property at the height of the market, unaware that prices were about to drop significantly across the region.

### 2. corrupt or controlled by money

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

used to describe a person, like a politician, who is dishonest because they take money to do what someone else wants.

For teachers: describing a person or organisation whose loyalty or services have been purchased, typically implying corruption or a loss of independence.

- Many voters believe the local council is bought and paid for by big developers.
- The investigative journalist argued that the senator was a bought man, citing numerous campaign contributions from the very industry he was supposed to regulate.

## Examples

- I bought a new car last week.
- She bought all her groceries at the local market to support small businesses.
- The company recently bought its largest competitor in a move that analysts suggest will lead to a total monopoly of the regional market.

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