purchase
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to buy something, usually in a formal or business situation.
v.to acquire property or goods by payment of money or its equivalent. Transitive; often preferred in commercial or legal registers over 'buy'.
Simple“The company decided to purchase new computers for all the staff.”
In context“The corporation intends to purchase the remaining shares of the subsidiary to gain full control over its operations.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.the act of buying something, or the thing that you have bought.
n.the acquisition of title to or property in anything for a price; also refers to the object acquired.
Simple“Please keep your receipt as proof of purchase.”
In context“The consumer was dissatisfied with her recent purchase and requested a full refund due to the product's technical defects.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a firm hold or grip on a surface that stops you from slipping.
n.a mechanical hold or advantage applied to the moving of heavy bodies; a firm foothold or grasp.
Simple“The climber struggled to get a good purchase on the wet rock.”
In context“The tires failed to find sufficient purchase on the icy incline, causing the vehicle to slide backward despite the driver's efforts.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.getting land or property in a way other than inheriting it.
n.the acquisition of real estate by means other than descent or inheritance, such as by contract or agreement.
Simple“The family acquired the estate by purchase rather than through their ancestors.”
In context“In property law, title by purchase includes any method of acquisition other than the operation of law through hereditary succession.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“Tollcard : prepaid cards that can be purchased online, at Portuguese post offices or in shops.”
“In common with social housing blocks around the UK, some flats have been purchased by their residents under the right to buy .”
From Middle English purchasen, from Anglo-Norman purchacer (“seek to obtain”) from pur- (from Latin pro-) + chac(i)er (“to chase, pursue”). Compare Old French porchacier (“to follow, to chase”), which has given French pourchasser (“to chase without relent”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.