purchase
purchase — verb
1. to get something by paying money for it, used especially in business, legal, or
to get something by paying money for it, used especially in business, legal, or official contexts rather than everyday conversation.
The company purchased new computers for all employees last month.
formal business context: company + purchase + equipment
After comparing prices online, Noa purchased a first-class ticket to London.
The museum recently purchased a rare painting by a 17th-century artist.
Kian purchased the house after weeks of negotiation with the seller.
Several local businesses have purchased advertising space on the website.
- sell
opposite action — to give something in exchange for money
文法句型
purchase + object
用法筆記
More formal than 'buy'. Common in business, legal, official, and institutional contexts. Less suitable for casual conversation about everyday shopping.
常見錯誤
purchase — noun
1. an object or item that someone has bought, especially one that is worth mentioni
an object or item that someone has bought, especially one that is worth mentioning because of its value, size, or importance.
Tanvi was delighted with her purchase and showed it to her friends.
possessive pronoun + purchase: her purchase
The store offers a full refund on any purchase within thirty days.
Daichi kept the receipt for his purchase in a safe place.
Nadia wrapped her purchase carefully before putting it in her bag.
- item
more general — any object, not necessarily bought
- acquisition
more formal; can also mean things obtained without payment
2. the process or action of buying something, especially when viewed as a formal tr
the process or action of buying something, especially when viewed as a formal transaction or business activity.
The purchase of the old factory was completed last week.
passive: the purchase of [something] + was completed
Minho made the purchase using a credit card to earn reward points.
collocation: make a purchase
The government announced the purchase of new medical equipment for the hospital.
Quan completed his purchase online and received a confirmation email.
- buying
less formal; the everyday equivalent
- acquisition
broader — may include obtaining without payment
- sale
the opposite transaction — selling rather than buying
文法句型
the purchase of [something]
make a purchase
complete a purchase
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'the purchase of [something]'. Also common in set phrases such as 'make a purchase', 'complete a purchase', and 'date of purchase'.
常見錯誤
3. the resistance produced when a hand, foot, or object presses against a surface,
the resistance produced when a hand, foot, or object presses against a surface, giving enough control to pull, lift, or bear weight without sliding.
Esme could not get a good purchase on the wet rope with her gloves on.
collocation: get a good purchase on [object]
The climber's boots gave her enough purchase to pull herself over the edge.
Nikos lost his purchase on the muddy slope and slid backward.
The tires needed more tread to get proper purchase on the icy road.
Sade adjusted her grip to get better purchase on the heavy box.
- slip
the opposite result — losing friction and sliding
文法句型
get purchase on [surface]
lose purchase
gain purchase
用法筆記
Typically used with verbs such as 'get', 'gain', 'lose', or 'find'. Describes physical contact between a person or object and a surface. May be used figuratively in formal writing (e.g. 'gain purchase in a debate'), but the core meaning is physical.