Purchase vs. Buy: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 4, 2023
Purchase refers to acquiring something through exchange, often implying a formal process; Buy is a general term for obtaining ownership by payment.
Key Differences
Purchase and Buy are terms commonly associated with the act of obtaining goods or services. Purchase often carries a more formal or official tone. For instance, a company might purchase equipment for its operations. Buy, on the other hand, is a more casual term. An employee might buy lunch during a break.
While Purchase is frequently used in business contexts, indicating a planned or strategic acquisition, Buy is versatile, fitting various situations, from everyday shopping to more significant investments. A firm might purchase a smaller company as part of its expansion strategy, while an individual might buy shares in that firm.
Purchase can also imply a sense of deliberation or careful consideration. An artist, for instance, might purchase materials after evaluating their quality and suitability. Buy, in contrast, can be more spontaneous. Someone might buy a painting because it caught their eye.
Additionally, Purchase can be used as both a noun and a verb. In the context of a transaction, the act is the purchase, and the item obtained is also a purchase. Buy, primarily used as a verb, focuses more on the action itself. You might buy something and later refer to it as a purchase.
In everyday language, Purchase might sound more refined or official, whereas Buy is straightforward and universally understood. You might choose to purchase a property and then tell a friend you bought a new house.
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Comparison Chart
Tone
Formal or official.
Casual or general.
Common Usage
Business and strategic contexts.
Everyday transactions.
Implication
Deliberation or careful consideration.
Can be spontaneous.
Grammatical Role
Used as both a noun and a verb.
Primarily used as a verb.
Synonym
Acquire through exchange.
Obtain ownership by payment.
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Purchase and Buy Definitions
Purchase
A formal transaction of acquiring goods or services.
The library's purchase of new books benefits the community.
Buy
To obtain something in exchange for money.
I'll buy some groceries on my way home.
Purchase
To obtain in exchange for money or its equivalent; buy.
Buy
To acquire ownership through payment.
She wants to buy a new car next year.
Purchase
To acquire by effort; earn
Purchased the victory with the loss of many lives.
Buy
To secure or reserve a service or privilege.
Can you buy us seats for the movie tonight?
Purchase
To pull or haul by means of a mechanical device, such as a winch.
Buy
To accept or believe an idea or proposition.
I don't buy his excuse for being late.
Purchase
The act or an instance of buying
The sudden purchase of a car.
Buy
To influence or persuade with money.
He tried to buy the judge's favor, but it backfired.
Purchase
Something bought
That hat was a wise purchase.
Buy
To acquire in exchange for money or its equivalent; purchase. See Note at boughten.
Purchase
A hold or position that allows the application of power, as in moving something
Got a purchase for her foot and climbed up.
Buy
To be capable of purchasing
"Certainly there are lots of things in life that money won't buy" (Ogden Nash).
Purchase
A device, such as a pulley, used to obtain mechanical advantage.
Buy
To acquire by sacrifice, exchange, or trade
Wanted to buy love with gifts.
Purchase
A means or advantage that allows the increase of power or influence.
Buy
To bribe
Tried to buy a judge.
Purchase
The acquisition of title to, or property in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent.
They offer a free hamburger with the purchase of a drink.
Buy
(Informal) To accept the truth or feasibility of
The officer didn't buy my lame excuse for speeding.
Purchase
That which is obtained, got or acquired, in any manner, honestly or dishonestly; property; possession; acquisition.
Buy
To purchase something; act as a purchaser.
Purchase
That which is obtained for a price in money or its equivalent.
He was pleased with his latest purchase.
Buy
Something bought or for sale; a purchase.
Purchase
(obsolete) The act or process of seeking and obtaining something (e.g. property, etc.)
Buy
An act of purchasing
A drug buy.
Purchase
A price paid for a house or estate, etc. equal to the amount of the rent or income during the stated number of years.
Buy
Something that is underpriced; a bargain.
Purchase
Any mechanical hold or advantage, applied to the raising or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle or capstan.
It is hard to get purchase on a nail without a pry bar or hammer.
Buy
To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods.
I'm going to buy my father something nice for his birthday.
Purchase
The apparatus, tackle or device by which such mechanical advantage is gained and in nautical terminology the ratio of such a device, like a pulley, or block and tackle.
Buy
To obtain, especially by some sacrifice.
I've bought material comfort by foregoing my dreams.
You just bought yourself an assault charge!
Purchase
The amount of hold one has from an individual foothold or ledge.
Buy
To suffer consequences for (something) through being deprived of something; to pay for (something one has done).
Purchase
Acquisition of lands or tenements by means other than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or agreement.
Buy
(transitive) To bribe.
He tried to buy me with gifts, but I wouldn't give up my beliefs.
Purchase
To buy, obtain by payment of a price in money or its equivalent.
To purchase land, to purchase a house
Buy
(transitive) To be equivalent to in value.
The dollar doesn't buy as much as it used to.
Purchase
To pursue and obtain; to acquire by seeking; to gain, obtain, or acquire.
Buy
To accept as true; to believe
I'm not going to buy your stupid excuses anymore!
Purchase
To obtain by any outlay, as of labor, danger, or sacrifice, etc.
To purchase favor with flattery
Buy
(intransitive) To make a purchase or purchases, to treat (for a drink, meal or gift)
She buys for Federated.
Let's go out for dinner. I'm buying.
Purchase
To expiate by a fine or forfeit.
Buy
To make a bluff, usually a large one.
Smith tried to buy the pot on the river with a huge bluff
Purchase
To apply to (anything) a device for obtaining a mechanical advantage; to get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to; to raise or move by mechanical means.
To purchase a cannon
Buy
Something which is bought; a purchase.
At only $30, the second-hand kitchen table was a great buy.
Purchase
To put forth effort to obtain anything; to strive; to exert oneself.
Buy
To acquire the ownership of (property) by giving an accepted price or consideration therefor, or by agreeing to do so; to acquire by the payment of a price or value; to purchase; - opposed to sell.
Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou wilt sell thy necessaries.
Purchase
To constitute the buying power for a purchase, have a trading value.
Many aristocratic refugees' portable treasures purchased their safe passage and comfortable exile during the revolution.
Buy
To acquire or procure by something given or done in exchange, literally or figuratively; to get, at a cost or sacrifice; to buy pleasure with pain.
Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Purchase
To pursue and obtain; to acquire by seeking; to gain, obtain, or acquire.
That loves the thing he can not purchase.
Your accent is Something finer than you could purchase in so removed a dwelling.
His faults . . . hereditaryRather than purchased.
Buy
To negotiate or treat about a purchase.
I will buy with you, sell with you.
Purchase
To obtain by paying money or its equivalent; to buy for a price; as, to purchase land, or a house.
The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth.
Buy
An advantageous purchase;
She got a bargain at the auction
The stock was a real buy at that price
Purchase
To obtain by any outlay, as of labor, danger, or sacrifice, etc.; as, to purchase favor with flattery.
One poor retiring minute . . . Would purchase thee a thousand thousand friends.
A world who would not purchase with a bruise?
Buy
Obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction;
The family purchased a new car
The conglomerate acquired a new company
She buys for the big department store
Purchase
To expiate by a fine or forfeit.
Not tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses.
Buy
Make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence;
This judge can be bought
Purchase
To acquire by any means except descent or inheritance.
Buy
Acquire by trade or sacrifice or exchange;
She wanted to buy his love with her dedication to him and his work
Purchase
To apply to (anything) a device for obtaining a mechanical advantage; to get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to; as, to purchase a cannon.
Buy
Accept as true;
I can't buy this story
Purchase
To put forth effort to obtain anything; to strive; to exert one's self.
Duke John of Brabant purchased greatly that the Earl of Flanders should have his daughter in marriage.
Buy
Be worth or be capable of buying;
This sum will buy you a ride on the train
Purchase
To acquire wealth or property.
Sure our lawyersWould not purchase half so fast.
Purchase
The act of seeking, getting, or obtaining anything.
I'll . . . get meat to have thee,Or lose my life in the purchase.
Purchase
The act of seeking and acquiring property.
Purchase
The acquisition of title to, or properly in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent.
It is foolish to lay out money in the purchase of repentance.
Purchase
That which is obtained, got, or acquired, in any manner, honestly or dishonestly; property; possession; acquisition.
We met with little purchase upon this coast, except two small vessels of Golconda.
A beauty-waning and distressed widow . . . Made prize and purchase of his lustful eye.
Purchase
That which is obtained for a price in money or its equivalent.
Purchase
Any mechanical hold, or advantage, applied to the raising or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle, capstan, and the like; also, the apparatus, tackle, or device by which the advantage is gained.
A politician, to do great things, looks for a power - what our workmen call a purchase.
Purchase
Acquisition of lands or tenements by other means than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or agreement.
Purchase
The acquisition of something for payment;
They closed the purchase with a handshake
Purchase
Something acquired by purchase
Purchase
A means of exerting influence or gaining advantage;
He could get no purchase on the situation
Purchase
The mechanical advantage gained by being in a position to use a lever
Purchase
Obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction;
The family purchased a new car
The conglomerate acquired a new company
She buys for the big department store
Purchase
To acquire something by paying for it.
He made a significant purchase at the art auction.
Purchase
To obtain ownership of a property or asset.
The company plans to purchase a new office space downtown.
Purchase
To get something in exchange for money or value.
She decided to purchase the dress after trying it on.
Purchase
To secure or reserve through payment.
They managed to purchase tickets for the sold-out concert.
FAQs
Is "buy" always about spending money?
No, it can also mean to accept or believe something.
In legal contexts, which term is preferred?
"Purchase" is typically preferred due to its formality.
Can "buy" and "purchase" be used interchangeably?
Often, but not always, especially where tone or formality is concerned.
Which is more commonly used in everyday speech?
"Buy" is more common in casual, everyday conversations.
Can I use "buy" in a business context?
Yes, but "purchase" might sometimes be more appropriate depending on the formality.
Is there a difference in their origins?
Yes, "purchase" comes from Latin, while "buy" is from Old English.
Can "buy" also suggest a good deal?
Yes, as in "That's a good buy."
Is "purchase" always more formal than "buy"?
Mostly yes, "purchase" tends to be more formal, but context matters.
Does "purchase" have meanings beyond transactions?
Yes, like indicating a grip or hold on something.
Does "purchase" imply a larger transaction?
Not necessarily, but it can emphasize the formality or importance of the transaction.
Are there idiomatic expressions with "buy"?
Yes, like "I wouldn't buy that for a dollar" indicating disbelief.
Are both words used as nouns and verbs?
Yes, you can make a purchase or buy something; you can also have a good buy or a significant purchase.
Can you "buy" time?
In a figurative sense, yes. It means to delay something.
Can "purchase" also be a grip or hold?
Yes, like finding a "purchase" on a slippery surface.
Do people "purchase" groceries?
They can, but more often they "buy" groceries.
Is "purchase" always about money?
Mostly, but it can also mean obtaining something through effort or struggle.
Do all businesses use "purchase" in their transactions?
No, the choice between "buy" and "purchase" varies based on the business and context.
Can "buy into" mean to invest?
Yes, like "buy into a company" or "buy into an idea," meaning to accept or support it.
In marketing, which term is seen as more direct?
"Buy" is often seen as more direct and approachable.
Are "purchaser" and "buyer" equivalent as nouns?
They are similar, but "purchaser" can sound more formal than "buyer."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
