C2 noun #1,200 رایج‌ترین 2 دقیقه مطالعه

purchase

A purchase is something you buy or the act of buying it.

Explanation at your level:

A purchase is something you buy. If you go to a shop and pay for a toy, the toy is your purchase. You use money to make a purchase. It is a very common word in stores.

When you go shopping, you make a purchase. This means you pay money to get an object. For example, 'I made a small purchase at the market.' It is a formal word for 'buy'.

In business, purchase is used to describe the act of buying goods or services. It is more formal than 'buy' and is often found on receipts or in contracts. You might also hear it in mechanics, where it means a secure grip.

The word purchase is often used in professional contexts. You might talk about 'purchase orders' or 'proof of purchase.' It conveys a sense of formality and legal agreement that 'buy' lacks. In climbing or construction, it refers to leverage.

Beyond its commercial usage, purchase can be used figuratively to describe 'gaining a foothold' in a situation. For example, a new idea might 'gain purchase' in the public imagination. This reflects its mechanical origin of finding a stable point of leverage.

Etymologically, purchase carries the weight of 'pursuit.' While modern usage focuses on transaction, the nuance of 'acquiring through effort' persists in literary contexts. It contrasts with 'buy' by emphasizing the process and the legal or physical security of the acquisition.

واژه در 30 ثانیه

  • A formal word for 'buy'.
  • Can also mean a physical grip.
  • Common in business/law.
  • Countable noun.

Hey there! Let's talk about the word purchase. At its heart, it's just a fancy way of saying 'buy.' When you go to the grocery store and pick up an apple, that apple is your purchase.

But wait, there's more! This word has a secret second life in physics and mechanics. If you're climbing a rock wall and you find a spot to wedge your foot so you don't slip, you've found a purchase. It’s all about finding that perfect grip or leverage to get the job done!

The word purchase has a really cool journey. It comes from the Old French word purchacer, which meant 'to seek, pursue, or acquire.' Back in the day, it wasn't just about money; it was about hunting or chasing something down to get it.

Over time, the meaning shifted from the act of 'chasing' to the act of 'getting' through trade. It’s fascinating how a word that once meant running after a wild animal evolved into a standard term for swiping your credit card at the mall!

You'll hear purchase used in business, law, and formal settings much more often than in casual conversation. While friends might say, 'I bought a new shirt,' a store receipt will say, 'Thank you for your purchase.'

Common phrases include make a purchase, proof of purchase, and impulse purchase. It’s a very versatile word that sounds professional and precise.

While purchase isn't the star of many idioms, it shows up in specific phrases.

  • Proof of purchase: The receipt needed for a refund.
  • Impulse purchase: Buying something you didn't plan on.
  • Gain purchase: Finding a solid grip on a surface.
  • Pre-purchase: Buying something before it's released.
  • Purchase price: The exact amount paid for an item.

As a noun, purchase is countable. You can have one purchase or many purchases. The pronunciation is PUR-chiss (with the stress on the first syllable). It rhymes with words like merchant's (loosely) or curse (if you're being creative!).

Remember, when using it as a verb, the stress stays the same. It’s a very stable word that doesn't change much, making it quite easy to learn!

Fun Fact

It used to mean 'to hunt'!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈpɜː.tʃəs/

Clear 'er' sound, soft 'ch'.

US /ˈpɝː.tʃəs/

Rhotic 'r', soft 'ch'.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing the 'ch' like 'k'.
  • Stressing the second syllable.
  • Dropping the 'r' sound.

Rhymes With

merchandise purchase (verb) search us

Difficulty Rating

خواندن 2/5

Easy to understand in context

Writing 3/5

Use in formal writing

Speaking 2/5

Neutral

شنیدن 2/5

Clear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

buy money store

Learn Next

acquisition transaction procurement

پیشرفته

leverage negotiation

Grammar to Know

Countable Nouns

I made two purchases.

Formal Register

Use purchase in business.

Examples by Level

1

I made a purchase.

I bought something.

Simple past tense.

2

This is a good purchase.

This is a good buy.

Determiner 'a' used.

3

Keep your purchase receipt.

Keep your paper from the shop.

Imperative.

4

I like my purchase.

I like what I bought.

Possessive adjective.

5

The purchase was cheap.

The item cost little.

Past tense.

6

He made a purchase.

He bought something.

Subject-verb agreement.

7

Check your purchase.

Look at what you bought.

Imperative.

8

Where is the purchase?

Where is the thing you bought?

Question form.

1

I am happy with my purchase.

2

The store offers a refund for your purchase.

3

Is this your first purchase here?

4

He made a large purchase yesterday.

5

Please show your proof of purchase.

6

The purchase price was very high.

7

I made an online purchase.

8

She regrets her purchase.

1

The company made a major purchase of new equipment.

2

You need a receipt as proof of purchase.

3

The purchase order was sent to the supplier.

4

He couldn't get a good purchase on the slippery rock.

5

The car was a sensible purchase for the family.

6

I made an impulse purchase at the checkout.

7

The total purchase amount is fifty dollars.

8

She is planning a large purchase for her office.

1

The software allows for easy purchase tracking.

2

He struggled to gain purchase on the icy slope.

3

The purchase agreement was signed by both parties.

4

They are looking to incentivize the purchase of electric cars.

5

The item is available for purchase online.

6

Her argument finally gained purchase with the committee.

7

We need to verify the date of purchase.

8

The purchase power of the currency has declined.

1

The brand has managed to gain purchase in the luxury market.

2

The purchase of the land was a strategic move.

3

He felt the rope slip as he lost his purchase.

4

The policy failed to gain purchase among the voters.

5

The acquisition was a significant purchase for the firm.

6

She examined the purchase history for any errors.

7

The purchase price includes all taxes and fees.

8

They sought to gain purchase over their competitors.

1

The purchase of the estate was shrouded in mystery.

2

His ideas failed to gain purchase in the academic community.

3

The purchase of the manuscript was a coup for the museum.

4

She secured a firm purchase on the cliff edge.

5

The purchase price was negotiated over several months.

6

The company's purchase of the startup changed the industry.

7

He found little purchase for his feet on the smooth wall.

8

The legal purchase of the property was completed today.

مترادف‌ها

متضادها

sale divestment slippage

ترکیب‌های رایج

make a purchase
proof of purchase
impulse purchase
purchase price
gain purchase
online purchase
purchase order
date of purchase
large purchase
purchase history

Idioms & Expressions

"gain purchase"

To get a secure hold or leverage.

He finally gained purchase on the ledge.

neutral

"proof of purchase"

Evidence that you bought something.

You need a receipt as proof of purchase.

formal

"impulse purchase"

Buying something suddenly without planning.

The gum at the register is an impulse purchase.

neutral

"purchase price"

The amount paid for an item.

The purchase price was too high.

neutral

"pre-purchase"

Buying before an item is available.

I did a pre-purchase for the new game.

casual

"purchase power"

The ability to buy goods.

Inflation reduced their purchase power.

formal

Easily Confused

purchase vs Pursue

Similar sound.

Pursue means to follow/chase; purchase means to buy.

I will pursue a career, not purchase one.

purchase vs Procure

Both mean to get.

Procure is for obtaining something with difficulty.

He procured the rare book.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + make + a + purchase

I made a purchase.

B1

Subject + confirm + the + purchase

Please confirm the purchase.

خانواده کلمه

Nouns

purchaser The person who buys something.

Verbs

purchase To buy something.

Adjectives

purchasable Able to be bought.

مرتبط

buyer synonym for the person

How to Use It

frequency

8/10

Formality Scale

Contractual/Legal Business Casual Slang

اشتباهات رایج

Using 'purchase' for everything. Use 'buy' for casual things.
Purchase is formal; using it for 'I purchased a sandwich' sounds weird.
Forgetting the article. Make a purchase.
It is a countable noun.
Confusing with 'pursue'. Purchase (buy) vs Pursue (chase).
They sound similar but mean different things.
Using as a verb in casual speech. Use 'buy'.
Native speakers rarely say 'I purchased a soda'.
Misspelling as 'purchace'. Purchase.
It ends in -ase, not -ace.

Tips

💡

When to use it

Use 'purchase' in emails or formal documents.

💡

Don't over-use it

Don't use it for small, everyday things like snacks.

💡

Did you know?

It comes from the word 'chase'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

PUR (Purr like a cat) + CHASE (Run after). A cat purrs when it chases a toy it wants to buy.

Visual Association

A receipt with a big dollar sign.

Word Web

shopping money receipt transaction grip

چالش

Try to say 'I made a purchase' instead of 'I bought something' today.

ریشه کلمه

Old French

Original meaning: To seek, pursue, or acquire.

بافت فرهنگی

None.

Common in business and retail.

Used in many legal contracts and store policies.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

  • Receipt of purchase
  • Total purchase
  • Online purchase

Business

  • Purchase order
  • Purchase agreement
  • Purchase price

Conversation Starters

"What was the last purchase you made?"

"Do you prefer online or in-store purchases?"

"Why do people make impulse purchases?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a purchase you regret.

Why is it important to keep proof of purchase?

Explain the difference between a need and an impulse purchase.

سوالات متداول

8 سوال

Yes, it can be both a noun and a verb.

Yes, but purchase is more formal.

A document sent by a buyer to a seller.

No, that is incorrect and offensive.

PUR-chiss.

No, but they are related in the 'leverage' sense.

Yes, purchases.

In professional or written English.

خودت رو بسنج

fill blank A1

I made a ___ at the store.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: purchase

Purchase is the noun for buying.

multiple choice A2

What is a purchase?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Something you buy

A purchase is an item bought.

true false B1

Is 'purchase' a formal word?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: درست

Yes, it is more formal than 'buy'.

match pairs B1

Word

معنی

All matched!

These are synonyms.

sentence order B2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

Subject + verb + article + noun.

امتیاز: /5

Related Content

واژه‌های بیشتر Shopping

used

A1

Describes an item that has been owned or utilized by someone else before being sold or given to another person. In shopping, it usually refers to second-hand goods that are cheaper than brand-new ones.

bookstore

B2

یه مغازه که کار اصلیش فروختن کتابه.

coat

A1

A piece of clothing with long sleeves that is worn over other clothes to keep warm or dry. It is typically worn outdoors and is generally longer than a jacket, often reaching the mid-thigh or knees.

buy

A1

خریدن یعنی به دست آوردن چیزی در ازای پرداخت پول. این یک عمل پایه در تجارت برای مالکیت کالا یا خدمات است.

bakery

A1

A bakery is a place where bread, cakes, pastries, and other flour-based foods are baked and sold. It is a specialized shop that often serves as a local source for fresh breakfast items and desserts.

scarf

A1

یک تکه پارچه بلند که دور گردن می‌پیچن تا گرم بمونن یا تیپشون قشنگ‌تر بشه.

card

A1

یه تیکه پلاستیک برای پرداخت پول، یا یه تیکه کاغذ ضخیم برای تبریک گفتن یا بازی کردن.

size

A1

اندازه یه چیز. توی خرید، این همون معیاریه که نشون میده لباس یا کفش برات اندازه هست یا نه.

grocery

A1

Groceries are the food and other small household items that you buy at a supermarket or a store. The word can also refer to the store where these goods are sold, often called a grocery store.

underwear

A1

لباس‌هایی که مستقیم روی پوست و زیر لباس اصلی می‌پوشن.

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